Press Statement

27/09/2025

MJF Condemns Gang Rape of Schoolgirl in Khagrachhari, Demands Immediate Justice

Dhaka, September 27, 2025 – Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) strongly condemns the gang rape of a 12-year-old schoolgirl in Khagrachhari, calling it a horrifying reminder of the persistent violence faced by children and women in Bangladesh.

The victim, an eighth-grade student, went missing on September 23 while returning from private tuition and was later found unconscious in a field. She is currently receiving medical care at Khagrachhari Sadar Hospital.

Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of MJF, expressed deep concern over the incident: “This tragic assault is not an isolated case. It reflects a culture of impunity where women and girls remain vulnerable, and perpetrators act without fear of arrest or punishment. It is unacceptable that children and women cannot feel safe in their own communities.”

MJF urges the government and law enforcement agencies to take immediate, strong, and effective action, including:

• Immediate arrest and trial of all the guilty.
• Enforcement of strict punishment through laws against children and women.
• Expand shelter, counseling, and livelihood support for survivors.
• Nationwide campaigns of awareness to combat the normalisation of gender-based violence.

MJF stands in solidarity with the victim, her family, and the communities demanding justice. The organization emphasizes that protecting the rights, dignity, and security of women is not negotiable, and society must act collectively to end violence against children and women.

“Every child and woman deserves to live free from fear and harm. Silence and inaction only embolden perpetrators; justice delayed is justice denied,” added Shaheen Anam.