397 women raped in Bangladesh in 10 months

A total of 397 women were raped during the last 10 months in Bangladesh, according to the data provided by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), a rights-based organisation.

At least 2,575 women and girls were subjected to violence during January-October this year, said the BMP in a report, marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which falls on Saturday.

The organisation said it collected the data based on reports in 12 national dailies in Bangladesh, according to Xinhua.

Fauzia Moslem, president of the organisation, revealed the information at a press conference in the capital Dhaka and demanded exemplary punishment for the rapists and killers.

Thirty-one victims were killed after the incident while 12 died by suicide, it mentioned.

Besides, the report said 221 females were physically abused while 443 were killed for various reasons.

The report which documented 21 child marriages, 142 cases of sexual violence and 61 cases of torture for dowry said at least 231 females died mysteriously during this period.

Among the dowry victims, 45 were killed. Meanwhile, 207 women died by suicide during the stipulated timeframe.