Bangladesh Erupts As Eight-Year-Old Rape Victim Dies

The death of an eight-year-old girl in Bangladesh, who was brutally raped, has triggered widespread protests across the country. 

The incident happened when she was visiting her elder sister’s house in Magura between the night of March 5 and the morning of March 6. Her sister’s 18-year-old husband, along with his parents and brother, have been arrested in connection with the crime.

She fought for her life for six days at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka but passed away on March 14 at 1:00 PM local time. Doctors attempted to revive her three times, but her heart failed to restart after the third cardiac arrest.

Her devastated mother said she had hoped her daughter would survive and that if she had, she would never have let her go anywhere alone again.

As news of her death spread, an angry crowd gathered at the house where the attack took place and set it on fire. Thousands of people attended her funeral prayer in Magura, demanding justice. 

Students at Dhaka University also held a symbolic funeral and protest march, calling for stricter laws and better protection for women and children. Many protesters argued that Bangladesh’s laws on rape remain unclear and must be strengthened. Legal advisor Asif Nazrul stated that the trial for the case is expected to begin within a week, with DNA test results expected soon. 

Tragically, just days after the attack, reports emerged of at least three more child rapes in different parts of Bangladesh, often involving neighbours or relatives. Research shows that most children who fall victim to sexual violence are assaulted by people they know, highlighting the urgent need for stronger legal enforcement and child protection measures. 

Bangladesh passed a law in 2020 making rape of a minor punishable by death, following a series of high-profile sexual violence cases. However, child rape remains a serious issue in the country.