Despite the closure of educational institutions and the absence of public gatherings during the pandemic, 626 children were reportedly raped between January and December 2020 in Bangladesh, revealed Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at an online press conference this morning.

The number of child marriages also increased by some 60 percent during this period, it said.

During the period under review, 145 children died as a result of rape, attempted rape, murder, abduction, disappearance and torture. Eight girls were tortured while working as domestic help while three of them died.

https://www.thedailystar.net/online/news/626-children-raped-60-increase-child-marriage-2020-mjf-2024857