Strengthening preventive measures to protect children is ‘urgent’: UNICEF

Existing gaps must be addressed and the culture of impunity must be brought to an end, says Rana Flowers

Strengthening preventive measures for child protection across Bangladesh has become “urgent” amid the spike in the brutal physical and sexual violence against children so far this year, says UNICEF Bangladesh Representative Rana Flowers.

"The rise in reports of brutal and sexual violence against women and children across Bangladesh thus far in 2026 underscore the urgent need for immediate action to strengthen child and GBV protection systems and prevention measures nationwide," she said in a statement on Saturday. “The culture of impunity enjoyed by perpetrators must end, and the gaps in prevention, reporting, institutional safeguarding, child friendly police and justice, community protection and social services be addressed.”

“Brutality against children must stop!”

Flowers said, “There is also need for psychosocial support for the women and children, with far stronger accountability of schools, madrasas, workplaces, neighbourhoods and care settings."

Police recovered the dismembered body of eight-year-old Ramisa from a flat in the capital’s Pallabi on May 19.

Police said that 32-year-old Sohel Rana, a resident of the flat next door, slit the child’s throat and severed her head from the body that morning. Sohel, who was subletting the flat, escaped by cutting out the window gille. However, his wife Swapna Akhter was at home.

Police later detained Swapna from her home and Sohel was eventually arrested from Narayanganj’s Fatulla.

The incident sparked nationwide outrage and demands for justice from different quarters.

UNICEF has now joined the call for additional preventive measures to protect children.

Flowers said, "UNICEF is deeply shocked and saddened by the recent brutal violence against children reported across Bangladesh, including the rape and killing of girls and boys in settings where they should have been safe. UNICEF conveys sincere condolences to all the affected families.

"Violence spreads when communities stay silent. UNICEF appeals for children, women, families and community members to report violence, abuse or exploitation through available protection services, including Child Helpline 1098, which provides support and referral services for children in need of assistance."

She also reiterated that the dignity of women and children who are victims of abuse should be respected.

"Children and women who suffer at the hands of an abuser deserve their dignity to be respected. The sharing of photos videos or identifying personal details represents a further abuse of each of them. All who share and reshare are adding to the trauma of survivors, the trauma of families, the disrespect of the victim.

"UNICEF appeals to the public, media outlets and social media users to respect the rights of the victims and their families and to refrain from any such sharing. Instead, please raise your voice calling for the protections and the systems and for an end to impunity of perpetrators."

Flowers said, "Every child has the right to protection everywhere, in communities, schools, at home, and even in how their stories and images are treated in public spaces."