The women who was gang-raped in Subarnachar, Noakhali expressed her insecurity and urged the government to provide security for her and her family as her eldest daughter's life was threatened when they attended a court hearing recently.
She demanded security while addressing a day-long symbolic hunger strike, which began on Central Shaheed Minar premises from 10 am to 5 Pm on Monday.
She said: “Although the culprits are in jail, they are still threatening me and my family members. They tried to kill my eldest daughter a few days ago while we went to attend a court hearing.”
“I was assured by government authorities that I would be provided with a piece of land along with a house to live, but I have yet to get those. So far, no one [from the government] has contacted me to know my condition except people from some human rights organizations,” she added.
The rape survivor, who was gang-raped by a group of miscreants allegedly led by Awami League's Subarnachar unit former publicity secretary Ruhul Amin, burst into tears while giving an account of the incident.
She demanded justice and also urged the government for ensuring security of her family.
The program was organized by women's rights organization "We Can," as well as several other rights organizations.
Rape, sexual harassment victims, and the family members of victims, who were killed after rape, are taking part in the strike.
A statistical report on rape and harassment prepared by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) and Manusher Jonno Foundation was also present during the program.
The report was prepared by these organizations using information derived from media reports of nine national daily newspapers -- Prothom Alo, The Daily Ittefaq, Samakal, The Sangbad, the Daily Janakantha, Daily Nayadiganta, the Daily Star, New Age and Dhaka Tribune.
According to the report, at least 1,253 women were raped in the first ten months of 2019 across Bangladesh. Besides, 62 others were murdered after being raped during this time period.
The report stated that 10 more victims committed suicide after they were raped in this time span, adding that some 767 children were also raped during this time-frame.
Notably, On January 1, a mother of four was forcibly dragged from her house in the Modhya Bagya village under Subarnachar's Charjubili union and gang raped, allegedly by 10-15 local Awami League activists.
The news of the gang rape shocked the country, sparked protests in Dhaka and elsewhere, and drew condemnation on social media.
