MJF condemns rape of 10-year-old child, calls for urgent action
MJF noted that 71 incidents of violence against children were documented in January and February 2026 alone.
Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) has strongly condemned the recent rape of a 10-year-old girl at a madrasa in Kushtia, describing it as a stark reminder of the ongoing sexual violence against children in Bangladesh.
In a press statement today (18 March), MJF expressed "outrage and deep anguish" over the persistent abuse of children, particularly in educational institutions where monitoring and oversight are weak.
Citing data from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), MJF noted that 71 incidents of violence against children were documented in January and February 2026 alone. This includes the rape of 38 girls and two boys, along with 14 reported attempted rapes. In 2025, a total of 1,024 incidents of child violence were recorded.
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Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, said, "Sexual violence against children within madrasahs is rarely reported unless the injury is severe or fatal, because of a culture of fear and secrecy.
"These offenders hide behind institutions which protect them as children are not allowed to speak out. The child in Kushtia's Bheramara upazila is now fighting for life."
Three people, including the head teacher of the madrasah where the child was a residential student, have been arrested.
However, MJF warned that arrests alone will not stop such atrocities. The foundation urged authorities to ensure strict implementation of laws, impartial investigations, timely action, and increased awareness among parents and guardians about the risks children face at home, school, madrasahs, and public spaces.
MJF called on the government to bring all educational institutions under the High Court ruling that mandates the formation of sexual harassment committees until Parliament passes a comprehensive law on the matter.
