DNA profiling of 41,555 samples from abused women and children has been completed to ensure swift and fair justice for survivors, Minister for Women and Children Affairs Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain told parliament.
The minister disclosed the information in a written response to a question from MP Selima Rahman during the National Parliament session on Monday, with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad in the chair.
The minister said the Women and Children Abuse Suppression Act 2026 was passed during the first session of parliament, under which child rape and abuse cases will be tried.
Regardless of the consent of the accused or the victim, DNA testing must be conducted according to the DNA Act 2014, he added. Through the 2025 amendment, the investigation and trial process for rape cases has been accelerated, with a provision to complete trials within a stipulated time after charges are framed.
The minister said 37 One-Stop Crisis Centres (OCCs) will be gradually established at government medical college hospitals. Currently, 14 OCCs are providing medical, legal, police, psychosocial counselling, rehabilitation, and income-generating training services to 82,678 individuals.
Additionally, 170,523 abused women and children have been served at 95 OCCs at district hospitals and upazila health complexes.
The National Helpline Centre-109 (toll-free), which provides 24-hour emergency services, has served a total of 88,46,940 abused women and children to date.
Psychosocial support is being provided through the National Trauma Counseling Centre in Dhaka and 37 regional centres. Currently, 38,061 women and children have received counselling services.
Committees have been formed at national, district, upazila, and union levels to prevent child marriage. A total of 18,824 child marriages have been stopped through the helpline.
The minister said the Sexual Harassment Prevention in Workplace and Educational Institutions Act 2026 is being formulated to ensure protection against sexual harassment. Additionally, the Domestic Violence Prevention Act 2026 is in process, repealing the 2010 Act, to ensure protection for victims and adjudicate domestic violence crimes.
