UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, Rana Flowers, has voiced deep concern over the recent surge in violence against children, particularly sexual violence and child rape, across the country. In a statement released on Sunday, she highlighted the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl from Magura as a stark reminder of the escalating crisis.
UNICEF’s monitoring reveals a troubling trend, with approximately 50 cases of child rape recorded between January and mid-March 2025. On 10 March alone, seven children were reportedly killed, and six cases of violence were confirmed. Flowers emphasised that these statistics represent shattered lives and profound trauma for survivors, as well as grief for their families and communities.
The organisation welcomed the government’s "zero tolerance" policy toward violence against children and acknowledged efforts by the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove harmful online content. However, Flowers stressed that these measures must be part of a broader strategy to address the root causes of such violence.
She called for immediate action to strengthen child protection systems, including the establishment of specialized child protection units within law enforcement and trauma-informed investigations. UNICEF also urged the government to expand the social service workforce to support survivors and families and to ensure timely prosecution of cases with the appointment of independent, gender-sensitive prosecutors.
Flowers appealed to the media to uphold ethical standards in reporting, safeguard the identity of victims, and avoid sensationalism that could harm survivors and their families. She also emphasized the importance of societal change, urging parents to instill respect in children and calling on men to stand against all forms of violence.
“Every child has the right to grow up in a safe and protective environment,” she said, adding that survivors must be shielded from further trauma and deserve dignity, healing, and justice. UNICEF reiterated its commitment to supporting the government in building stronger child protection systems to ensure a safer future for children in Bangladesh.
