Staff Correspondent:

The cabinet has given final approval to the revised draft of the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000, with the provision of death penalty as the maximum punishment for rape.

The President will issue an ordinance on Tuesday (October 13).
Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Haque confirmed the information on Monday.

The approval was given at a virtual cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting. The Prime Minister joined via video conference from Ganobhaban. Ministers and state ministers from the secretariat were present.
The law minister said, “The amended law has been approved in the cabinet meeting.” According to the amended law, the maximum punishment is death penalty and life imprisonment. The amended ordinance will be issued tomorrow.

Under the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Act, the maximum punishment for rape is now life imprisonment. The government took this step in the midst of a nationwide movement against rape and violence against women and a demand for the death penalty for rapists.
Section 9 (1) of the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000 states, “If a man rapes a woman or a child, he shall be punishable with life imprisonment and with an additional fine.”
Recently, incidents of rape have increased in different parts of the country. Meanwhile, on October 4, a video of a 38-year-old woman being tortured in Noakhali went viral on social media. However, the incident took place in Eklashpur union of Begumganj upazila in early September.
After this incident went viral, there was a storm of criticism across the country. Most of those involved were arrested by law enforcement. Besides, there was a storm of protest against rape and violence against women all over the country including the capital.

Protesters demanded the death penalty for rapists.
A long march was announced in front of the Shahbagh National Museum on Friday (October 9th) afternoon to protest the ongoing rape and impunity across the country.

According to the announcement made at the general assembly organized under the banner ‘Bangladesh against rape and injustice’, a long march will be held towards Noakhali on October 16 and 17. Besides, a nine-point demand was announced for the trial of rape and oppression and removal of the Home Minister.