Bangladesh witnessed an alarming rise in the number of rape incidents of women during January-August 2021 compared to the same period of 2020, according to a report of an independent rights body.
At least 978 women were raped in the first eight months of the current calendar year across the country whereas the number was 889 in the corresponding period of the last calendar year, the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) report revealed.
Besides, among the rape victims, a total of 35 women were killed after the incidents while eight others committed suicide, the ASK said, adding that 230 more women were fallen victims to attempt to rape during the period.
The independent rights body also mentioned that a total of 910 cases were filed in connection with the incidents between January and August this year.
As many as 1,413 women were raped in 2019 while the number was 732 in 2018.