Rehana Sultana: Rape- A review

“Light sentences in sexual offenses, cases like rape, sexual assault, or harassment, not only trivialise the experience of the individual victims, but also carry the wider implication that female sexual victimisation is unimportant. It is essential to raise mass consciousness for the general public… In my view, effective public opinion will be the most formidable weapon against rape in society.”

Abstract for Rehana's Speech:

Rape has often been described as the primary instrument of control in a patriarchal society. Rape is a vicious and sadistic manifestation of the general nature of sexuality in a male- dominated society. In most countries rape is defined by statute or by common law as sexual intercourse without the consent of or against the will of the woman. Women’s vulnerability to rape is one of the main factors which prevent their empowerment and their enjoyment of equality with men. Every state has an international legal obligation to investigate, prosecute and punish rapists. The police are often insensitive to issues concerning rape, and suspicious of complaints of rape.

Recently for the first time in Bangladesh an information centre consisting of only women police officers has been set up in the capital, Dhaka, to take the necessary action on behalf of women who are victims of violence, rape and trafficking. The Bangladesh National Women’s Lawyers Association has been providing legal support to victims of rape in judicial proceedings both before court and outside of court. It is very difficult to prove an offence of rape at trial, and current court proceedings can exacerbate the complainant’s ordeal during trial. Rehana Sultana joined the Dhaka Bar as an advocate in 1985 and the High Court Division of Bangladesh Supreme Court in 1987. She practices as an Advocate and works as a human rights activist as a member of the Bangladesh National Women’s Lawyers Association.