The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has voiced deep alarm over a sharp rise in crimes against children, particularly sexual violence, in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
In a statement released on Sunday, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh Rana Flowers expressed being “profoundly horrified” by the escalating incidents of child rape and murder, including in spaces meant to be safe havens like schools.
The agency’s monitoring, based on media reports and local human rights data, documented approximately 50 cases of child rape between January 1 and March 16 this year—a distressing spike that has sent shockwaves across the South Asian nation.
Flowers highlighted the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl from Magura just days ago as a stark symbol of the crisis. “Her death is a devastating reminder of how children, especially girls, are being subjected to grave violations of their fundamental rights and safety,” she said, noting that this case is one among many recent atrocities.
UNICEF’s statement underscored growing concerns about the safety of children in environments where they should feel secure—homes, schools, and communities. The agency slammed the interim administration, urging immediate action to address the systemic failures allowing such violence to proliferate.
“These incidents raise urgent questions about the protection of children and adolescents, particularly at the hands of those they trust,” Flowers remarked, calling for decisive measures to bolster child protection systems.
The surge in violence follows a period of political upheaval after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s ousting in August 2024, with experts suggesting that instability has exacerbated vulnerabilities.
UNICEF reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Yunus-led government in strengthening safeguards and creating a safer Bangladesh for all children. “To build a society where every child can grow up free from fear, the interim government and all stakeholders must act now,” Flowers emphasized, advocating for increased investment in protective mechanisms.
The statement has intensified scrutiny on the interim administration, with activists and citizens demanding accountability and swift reforms to curb the alarming trend of crimes against the nation’s youngest and most vulnerable.