Violence against tribal women is constantly increasing all over the country. According to Kapeng Foundation and Bangladesh Indigenous Women’s Network, 726 indigenous women have been victims of various tortures from 2007 to 2021 across the country. This torture includes rape, abduction, physical torture, trafficking and other violent activities.

This information was given in the discussion meeting on the human rights of tribal women and children at the divisional level in Sylhet.

On Thursday (September 5) at 2.30 pm, the meeting was held at FIVDB Training Hall, Khadimnagar, organized by Patra Sampada Kalyan Parishad (PASCOP) and Bangladesh Adivasi Women’s Network.

Project Coordinator of Pascop Gauranga Patra, executive head of PASCOP, gave a welcome speech at the beginning of the meeting moderated by Labani Swarti. Project coordinator Falguni Tripura presented the keynote on the human rights of tribal women and children.

Caritas Sylhet regional director Bonifas Khangla, writer and poet A.K. Sheram, National Women Lawyers Association Division Head Advocate Shireen Akter, Sylhet Women’s Journalist Club General Secretary Shakila Bobby, tribal women’s leader Flora Babli Talang were the honored guests at the meeting.

Phila Patmi, general secretary of Khasi Social Council, women leader Monika Khangla, Saju Marchiang and others were also present on the occasion.

Speakers in the meeting said that there are more than 54 tribes in Bangladesh. 2% of the total population of the country are tribals. There is no constitutional recognition of tribals.

It is the need of the hour to set up a separate land commission for the tribals of the plains. Tourism spots are emphasized in jum cultivation areas.

Speaking about the life of tribal women, the speaker said, everyone sees the colorful life of tribal women but nobody sees the hardships. Tribal women live in marginal areas. From pregnancy to daily activities, they have to deal with various problems. Tribal women are constantly discriminated against on the basis of ethnicity, gender, language, religion and caste. As a result, human rights violations against tribal women are increasing day by day.

Tribal women are subjected to violence, rape, sexual harassment, abduction, trafficking of women is increasing day by day.