The security situation surrounding women and children in Bangladesh has taken an alarming turn, with 240 women and girls subjected to various forms of abuse—including rape, murder, mysterious deaths, suicide, sexual harassment, and abduction—in the outgoing month of October.

Among the victims, 51 were subjected to rape, three of whom were murdered following the assault.

During the same period, 42 women and children were killed due to various reasons, while 28 met with mysterious deaths.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (Bangladesh Women's Council) released these statistics on female and child abuse for October in a press release signed by its General Secretary, Maleka Banu, on Sunday (November 1).

According to the report, out of the 51 rape victims in October, 34 were young girls and 17 were women.

Among them, 16 victims—including six girls—were gang-raped.

Three individuals, including two girls, were murdered after being raped.

Additionally, attempted rape was reported against 21 individuals, including 17 girls.

During the same month, 42 women and girls were killed for various reasons, comprising seven girls and 35 women.

Furthermore, 28 individuals, including five girls, died under mysterious circumstances.

A total of 23 people committed suicide, including six girls and 17 women, while seven individuals, including two girls, were abetted to commit suicide.

The report also highlighted a worrying picture of sexual violence. In October, 21 women and girls—including 15 young girls—fell victim to sexual violence.

Among them, nine individuals, including seven girls, faced sexual assault, while another nine individuals, including seven girls, were subjected to stalking and harassment.

Three people, including one girl, fell victim to cyber violence.

Additionally, one woman suffered acid violence, and four individuals, including three girls, suffered burn injuries.

According to Bangladesh Mahila Samakhya, seven women were subjected to abuse over dowry demands, with six of them murdered as a result.

Two women suffered physical abuse due to domestic violence.

The report further noted that eight individuals, including two girls, were subjected to physical torture.

The month of October also saw a significant number of abductions.

Six girls were abducted during the month, while abduction attempts were made against 21 individuals, including nine girls.

Two people, including one girl, fell victim to human trafficking.

One child marriage was recorded, while an attempt to perform another child marriage was foiled.

Additionally, seven individuals, including two girls, suffered various other forms of abuse.