UNICEF expresses deep concern and outrage over brutal violence, rape and murder against children and women in Bangladesh

POBNEWS24, Dhaka, May 23, 2026 : The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed deep concern and outrage over the recent incidents of brutal violence, rape and murder against children and women in Bangladesh. The agency said that children are being subjected to brutality, especially in places where they are supposed to be safe. In a statement on Friday, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Rana Flowers said that this brutality against children must stop.
In the statement, Rana Flowers mentioned that there have been reports of an increase in sexual and physical violence against women and children in Bangladesh since the beginning of 2026. This highlights the urgent need to strengthen child and gender-based violence prevention and protection systems nationwide. She demanded an end to the culture of impunity for perpetrators. At the same time, she urged for urgent resolution of the shortcomings in prevention measures, violence reporting, institutional protection, child-friendly police and justice systems, and social service sectors.
He also said that violence spreads only when society remains silent. Therefore, UNICEF is calling for reporting incidents of violence, abuse or exploitation immediately through the Child Helpline 1098 and other protection services, without keeping it a secret.
The UNICEF representative emphasized the importance of psychological and social support for women and children. He also called for increasing the accountability of schools, madrasas, workplaces, neighborhoods and care centers.
The statement placed special emphasis on protecting the dignity and privacy of victims and their families. UNICEF said that publishing photos, videos or identities of victims is a form of re-torture. Those who share or re-share them on social media are essentially exacerbating the mental trauma and suffering of victims and their families.
Therefore, the general public, media and social media users are requested to respect the rights of victims and refrain from sharing such photos or videos. Rana Flowers concluded by saying that every child has the right to be protected in the presentation of their stories or images in society, school, home—even in public spaces. She called on everyone to collectively raise their voices to ensure that perpetrators are punished and to strengthen protection systems.