The state of women and children in the country has always taken a backseat, preceded by the 'more important' issues of political power and things related to its misuse including 'tit for tat' criminal cases. One forgets that vital issues of economic stability, development and education all directly involve women's participation and ensuring their safety and safeguarding their rights as citizens is important for the country's being. Apart from empty promises, which are a mandatory part of election manifestos, the lot of women is, for the most part, monitored by non-government organisations and women's groups. Given below is a brief description of various issues of violence against women that took place in the last year.

Rape

Incidents of rape in Bangladesh can be counted in the hundreds every year. Only a fraction of the incidents are reported in the newspapers, as prevailing social norms dictate that the subject remains taboo. The society should wake up to the fact that the more rapists apprehended and punished, the safer is the society. In small areas of the country, the criminal is generally recognised by his victim, but corrupt police, negligent doctors and vested interest groups almost always manage to keep the incident under wraps. During the year 2001, Odhikar documented 765 reported incidents of rape where 138 of the victims were children, eight women were raped by law enforcing agents and four women were from the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Acid throwing

Acid throwing has become an effective method of revenge and vengeance in Bangladesh today. It is so popular, that even men are now becoming victims. Cases of acid throwing occur over land disputes; political rivalry, spurned affections and proposals of marriage and jilted affairs. Children are also sometimes caught in the crossfire, usually because they are with the adult victim at the time of the incident. In 2001, Odhikar documented 206 incidents of acid throwing where 33 of the victims were children. Jail No of female Actual

Inmates Capacity

Dhaka Central Jail 248 84

Comilla Central Jail 77 22

Rajshahi Central Jail 105 41

Jessore Central Jail 139 45

Dowry related violence

Despite laws banning the practice, social and traditional norm helps families decide to demand and give dowry. According to the Dowry Prohibition Act, both giving and receiving dowry is a punishable offence. Like rape, dowry related violence is helped by 'society' and members of it who demand that dowry be given or voluntarily give dowry. In rural Bangladesh and even in families in the urban areas, incessant demands for dowry after marriage cumulate in both mental and physical torture and even in murder. There were 163 reported cases of dowry related violence in 2001, where six women were killed.

Women in prison

As part of Odhikar's current investigation work, the organisation has investigated the condition of female inmates in Dhaka, Jessore, Rajshashi and Comilla Central Jails. Needless to say, female prisoners are among the most neglected group of people in Bangladesh. The conditions in the jail cells were deplorable. There was only one toilet in the grossly overcrowded cells and that was in an unhygienic condition due to excessive use. The food given is little in quantity and very poor in quality. Norms laid down in the Jail Code are not adhered to and there is hardly any medical treatment for female inmates and none at all for the pregnant women. In October 2001, alone there were 248 female inmates in Dhaka Central Jail (actual capacity 84), 77 in Comilla Central Jail (actual capacity 22); 105 in Rajshahi Central Jail (actual capacity 41) and 139 in Jessore Central Jail (actual capacity 45).

Corruption, vested interest, non-implementation of existing laws and family pressure and the fear of social ostracisation all contribute to acts of violence against women. Certain social values need to change and effective measures taken to ensure that the rights of women are safeguarded and that perpetrators get their just desserts.

Prepared for Odhikar, a human right organisation, by Saira Rahman Khan