1. Violence Against Women
Introduction
Violence against women, in short VAW, means all the violent acts committed targeting women
in various situation. Violence against women also referred as Gender-Based Violence.
According to Istanbul Convention,
“Violence against women is understood as a violation of human rights and a form of
discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender-based violence that result in,
or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to
women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or in private life.”
From the long past to the present, violence against women is a common occurrence in most
societies of the world whether the violence is physical or mental. Specially if we look at
developing and undeveloped countries, it is a daily and often deadly fact of life for millions of
women and girls. In most of these countries women and girls are generally looked down upon
and trapped within cultural framework. Bangladesh is no different. As a result, violence against
women is a normal phenomenon in these areas even from the women’s perspective. The form
of violence against women differ from country to country, area to area, culture to culture.
Most visible forms of violence women suffer includes domestic violence, rape, dowry deaths,
sexual harassment, suicide, forced marriage, trafficking and other psychological and financial
oppression. Violence against women has become one of the most common social issues in these
regions. Most of the country has taken steps and passed strict laws, but still it remains major
problem of the country.

2. Background
Violence against women is a major problem in Bangladesh from beginning. Though most of
violence, specifically rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence remains under reported due
to societal norms, taboos and the sensitive nature of the subjects, we get an overview of the
situation over ages in Bangladesh from the police and newspaper reports and hospital statistics.
Different types of violence against women take place in Bangladesh, such as domestic violence,
dowry-related violence, acid violence, death, rape, rape followed by death, forced or induced
abortion, forced prostitution, sexual harassment, violence at work place and trafficking. Also
‘eve-teasing’ has gained tremendous importance as an alarming violent phenomenon in recent
times. Because of social structure and cultural reasons women have always been treated as
inferior to men in our country. We have progressed in many aspects from the time of the
independence but the situation of the women almost remained same. People’s view to women
haven’t changed much. Women are often seen as property of men and burden to the society
and family. Oppression and subordination by males over females is the common feature in our
society. Violence against women is largely embedded in gender norms. Generally, the low
status of women – economically, socially, culturally and politically tend to be responsible for
the violation of basic rights of females by males in a society like Bangladesh. The nature of
strong patriarchy is responsible for this. Violence against women is happening from so long
that, women in our society seem to accept it. Specially in the rural areas women do not stand
against violence and kind of accept all the violence as their fate. Often women are told from
the family in young age that, they are inferior to men and they are not supposed to get equal
rights as men. Also, most of the time family doesn’t support women when they fall victim to
violence and want to cover it up as soon as possible because of the social status. Most of the
time victimized women also try to avoid the legal process as she becomes more stigmatized by
the society. She dares not to file complaints, fearing negligence in police station, court and
society. Though government has passed law regarding violence against women, the laws are
not much effective. Women do not feel comfortable to seek help from law enforcement
agencies and due to the lack of enforcing law on the reported cases, the situation of violence
against women is not improving. Moreover, in the recent past it has increased in an alarming
rate in all the areas of the country. Our country is developing and improving in many sectors
but we still failed to stop violence against women and ensure safety. Half of our population is
women and violence against them is one of our major problem now.

3. Discussion
Violence against women occur in both public and private spheres of life and at any time of
their life span. Violence against women often keeps women from contributing to social,
economic, and political development of their communities. Every two out of three Bangladeshi
women are forced to deal with some form of violence during their lifetime. Brutal attacks on
women have become commonplace and widespread across the country. The rate of reported
violent act against women has risen constantly and at an alarming rate, especially since the
early 1990’s. The following data shows comparative frequency of different forms of violence
from year 2012 to 2016.
Source: Ministry of Home Affairs, Department of Women Affairs (DWA)
Considering that violence against women remains one of the most under reported crimes in
Bangladesh it is implicit that the reported figures are a gross underestimate. The real situation
is much more worse. Traditionally men have been in a dominant position and women in a
submissive one in our society. Furthermore, there is a tendency, particularly in village areas,
to legitimize the
patriarchal attitudes on the basis of tradition and orthodox religion. These things mainly stand
behind the violent acts toward women. Because of the absence of enough latest data about and
types of the violence that occurred, it is difficult to uphold the current situation regarding
violence against women in Bangladesh. However, from the reported cases, different
organizations report and news reports we can get an overview about the form of the violence
against women in our country. The major trends in violence against women is discussed below.

4. Domestic Violence
Domestic violence is the most common form of violence against women throughout the
Bangladesh. Women of every socio-economic status are vulnerable to mistreatment and abuse
by husbands, in-laws and other family members. Often women are victim of domestic violence
in her own family. Recent newspaper report suggests increasing domestic violence against
women in the country. The following table shows the trend in domestic violence in the past
years.
The victims of domestic violence suffer health related complications, low self-esteem, feeling
of isolation and powerlessness, and often suffer from a sense of guilt. This increase the
possibility of suicide attempts in the women. Despite the dangerous consequence of the
domestic violence, it is not recognized as a serious social problem in the society and people
tend not to consider domestic violence as a serious crime. People point of view at domestic
violence is as a personal matter and should be resolved privately within the family. Because of
this, most of the domestic violence remain un-reported and law enforcement agencies are
unable to help the victim of domestic violence. Women’s tolerance of domestic violence
enhances domestic violence in the daily life in Bangladesh.
Generally, women remain silent and do not speak against domestic violence. This happens
because of the social context in Bangladesh. From the early age, women are taught to remain
submissive, tolerant and self-sacrificing. Also, there is a social belief that a woman’s place is
in her husband’s home is also deeply rooted in women’s self-view and self-worth. This kind
social values make it difficult for women to speak against domestic violence. If there happens
a situation of marital and family conflict, society will take the opposite side of women and will
hold her responsible.

5. Also, there is another major reason why women do not speak against domestic violence. Most
of cases women do not have alternative to staying with their husband and they do not have any
family support. With no support women have to tolerate domestic support for their whole life.
Torture by Husband
Most common form of domestic violence is torturing by husband or wife beating. In a past
international report by United Nations, Bangladesh was ranked first in wife beating. Almost
half of the female population surveyed reported physical abuse by their husbands. Husbands
physically assault wives for even minor mistakes, such as an unsatisfactory meal, an untidy
room, a conversation with another man, or any act of disagreement or disobedience. In our
society men believe in their own superiority. This happens because from childhood they are
treated better than their sisters. They grow up believing that they are more valuable and
important than women. With the delusion, they justify their violent acts against women.
Dowry-Related Violence
Dowry is the property that bride’s family gives to the groom or his family upon marriage. In
Bangladeshi law dowry has an extended meaning, ‘whatever is presented weather before or
after marriage under demand, compulsion or pressure as consideration for the marriage can be
said to be dowry’.
Dowry is major social evil in our society. It is due to the commercialization of the marriage
than the impact of the culture. Rising unemployment problem has also contributed to this curse.
Because young men who are unemployed, their family see dowry as a source of income.

6. Dowry Related Violence
Source: www.odhikar.org
When the bride’s family fails to pay the promise amount of money or other things the husband
and in-laws abuse her in order to force her family to pay the dowry. She has experience both
mental and physical abuse from her husband’s family. In many cases the abuse becomes severe
in nature, for example, the woman has acid throw on her face, is brunt, severely beaten and in
some cases even murdered.
Rape
Rape and gang rape are one of the most brutal forms of violence against women in Bangladesh.
In a culture that holds a woman's chastity sacred, rape crimes are particularly injurious to a
woman's self-identity and social future as well as her physical and psychological wellbeing.
Also, in most of the cases, men not only rape women but also physically torture and murder
the victim as well.

7. Source: www.odhikar.org
In the recent past, rape has become the prevalent form of violence against women in
Bangladesh. There are also several cases of gang rape. This situation is alarming because the
attacks are much more brutal and damaging to a woman. Often women commit suicides after
this kind of incidents happens. Surprisingly after an incident of rape some people are seen
trying justify raping and it seems that some men are no longer ashamed of their disgusting
intentions. As such, rape is being normalized in the male community.
Trafficking in Women
In the developing country like Bangladesh, trafficking of women and children is a serious
problem. It is also a major problem around the globe. A huge number of women and children,
mainly from the poor, marginalized and disenfranchised section of the community, become
victim of the trafficking. This happens because of the absence of social protection, economic
security and legal support. The factor that contribute in women trafficking are complex and a

8. lot in n umbers. Many organized gangs of the trafficker often lure young women with false
promises of better job or false proposals of love and marriage. Generally, the victims of women
trafficking are forced for prostitution, slave labor and organ transplant.
Accurate data regarding this factor is absent to government. Thought the government
implemented various policies and laws regarding this, trafficking of women remains one of the
serious problem of Bangladesh.
Acid Violence
Acid violence is one of the most common crime in Bangladesh. Criminals throw acid on the
faces and bodies of women to take revenge or gain their evil desire. Acid violence mostly
happens in the situation where women reject or disagree any proposal by the criminal.
Bangladesh has the highest worldwide incidence of acid violence and acid burn constitute 9%
of the total burn injuries in Bangladesh. Acid violence involves throwing acid at a person's
body to disfigure and scar the person for life. A recent study reveals that land disputes account
for 27% of acid attacks, followed by 18% for family disputes, 10% for refusal of sex, 8% for
refusal of romantic relationship, 5% for dowry conflicts, 4% for marital disputes, 3% for refusal
of marriage proposal, 2%for political enmity, and the remaining 23% for unknown reasons.
Despite new harsh laws, acid violence has not been decreased. The physical effects of acid are
hideous; it melts skin and muscle, and can dissolve bones. Loss of sight in one or both eyes is
also possible. The scarring and disfigurement is often permanent Acid violence not only cause
physical damage but also destroy the normal life and the future of the victim. Also, the victims
do not get any support from the society and sometimes even from the family. The following
graph shows the statistics of acid violence of the last year.

9. Acid Violence in 2016
Source: www.odhikar.org
Pornography
Another concern highlighted in the recent news report is “Pornography” which is represents a
form of violation against women that “glamorizes the degradation and maltreatment of women
and asserts their subordinate function as mere receptacles for male lust.”
Harassment at work places
Whether out of choice or out of compulsion, most of the women who are involved in the work
place in all vital sectors of country’s economy may fall in the unorganized sectors. They are
ill-paid but don’t leave the job due to increasing unemployment. This need for survival drives
to rape situations. Harassment at work place is all pervasive. Women from all backgrounds are
attacks each year at work. Among women, murder is the leading cause of death from a work
place injury. Sometimes Women are attacked during a robbery. Usually, though women are
hurt by someone they know, like a co-workers, customer, client or patient. Sometimes attacks
are the result of domestic the violation that spills over into the workplace.
Consequence of sexual harassment at Girls (2012-2016)
Source: www.odhikar.org

10. Female child marriage and violence
In rural areas, we see a sizeable number of female children between 13-15 years of age get
married
because of the family’s desires and decisions. A survey by BDHS reveals that of all the married
respondents, approximately 8.0% were found in the age category of 10-14 years. Even if the
law prohibits, such marriages take place unabated in rural areas of Bangladesh. However,
existing law prohibits marriage for females less than 18 years of age and for males less than 21
years of age.
It is very difficult for a tender age girl of 13 or 14 years of age to understand and adjust with
the new situation of husband’s family - family’s desires, expectations, socio-cultural demands.
Inability to meet the demands and desires of the husband/husband’s family members results in
verbal abuse, humiliation and sometimes physical torture on the newly married girl by her
husband or husband’s family members, both males and females. Apart from this familial
adjustment problem, the girl also faces emotional, sexual, social and practical adjustment
problem with her husband whose age is generally 18 years or above. Also, the question of
establishing mutually agreed sexual relation becomes nearly impossible in such unequal marital
relation. Husband’s desire to have sex with his wife generally turns out to be undesirable for
her.
In such situations, when husband forcibly has sex with his wife, it turns out to be a sexual
violence. Wife, instead of sexual gratification, often sustains injury, pain etc., in her female
organs. This may be termed as marital rape. Early age pregnancy is also an important feature
resulting from early marriage. When subsequent pregnancies take place at early age without
proper spacing, a female faces malnutrition and ill health.
Eve-teasing
Eve-teasing is a great concern in the discussion of the violation against women in Bangladesh.
Eve-teasing is not new problem in Bangladesh. However, recently it’s a magnitude has
increased and it has become a big crisis for the country. Nowadays, it is dealt with seriously by
different types of professionals, especially social activities and academics.

11. The term “Eve-teasing” is an activity where the girls are teased by the boys. It means, when a
boy or a group of boys try to disturb a girl or girls by yelling, showing, sexual gesture and
instrument, obstructing, offering bad proposal etc.
Murder/Suicide
The total number of suicides, from 2010-2013March, was 450 of which a considerable
number of victims (64%) were below 25 years of age and 38% were below 20 years of age.
Out of 450 incidents 28% cases were filed with law enforcing authorities. In case of murders,
the victims were comparatively older than victims of other forms of violence, such as rape.
Out of 379 incidents, 34% victims were more than 30 years of age and 18% were between
21-25 years of age. Age was not mentioned in 22% cases.
The low social and economic status of women can be both a cause and a consequence of
violence against women. Gender violence represents an expression of human behaviors and
attitudes and is deep rooted in the society. The causes of violence can be categorized as
immediate, intermediary and underlying. The immediate causes are the “trigger” factors e.g.
alcoholism but the underlying factors are generally the subordinated position of the women and
her powerlessness.

12. Custodial violence
Though sex disaggregated data is not available but out of total 90,000 cases in the last 25
years, women were targets of 5867 cases which also included rape. Apart from these, during
1996-97, 85 persons died in police custody among which 41 died in 1997 and the rest 37 died
in 1998. It is worth mentioning here that among the 37 who died in 1998, 3 were convicted and
rest 34 died due to police torture i.e., their accusation was not proved or they were innocent, in
most cases perpetrators are either unknown persons or miscreants. The second most important
perpetrators are husbands or lovers. When girl children are victims of violence, most cases the
perpetrators are known persons (63) followed by neighbors (38) and lovers (29) as found from
secondary sources. It important to note here that though violence may occur at any time of the
day but night and early morning are two important time of occurrence of girl child abuse.
Conclusion:
The above discussion gives a brief overview of violence against women in Bangladesh. The
government and many international organizations are working in Bangladesh to stop violence
against women. In spite of all the initiatives, progress in the achievement of women’s right and
safety has been slow. Still women are not safe in both home and outside. The main reason is
that there are certain critical gaps in our knowledge and policy. The policy makers either do
not feel it is necessity, or do not want to make public its failure to provide necessary protection
to women. The policy need to be updated according to current situation. Alongside government
everyone need to take step in order to stop violence against women and ensure safe
environment in both home and outside.
Recommendations
1. Awareness in everyone is an important step to stop
violence against women. It will make home and
outside safer and easier for women to report any
incident.

13. 2. Computerized Database by government to keep
information about cases and victim and monitor situation
over time. It will also help policy makers to predict the nature,
extent and trend of violence against women and formulate
necessary laws to combat it.
3. Enforcing law strictly, especially in the rural areas to ensure
safety of the women and serve justice to the victims.
4. Providing women with legal representation and
opportunities to pursue justice against perpetrators of
violence through the formal legal system.
5. Promoting gender equality in school and widen access to
education for girls. Girls who obtain higher level of education
are more likely to find employment and become empowered
as a result of their financial contribution to the family and
community.
6. Ending forced early marriage, the leading cause to marital
and domestic violence.
7. Bringing greater attention violence that is perpetrated by a
partner or spouse.
8. Reporting and inspire others to report any incident that
happens around.
9. Stopping victim blaming. Raising awareness among people
not to blame anyone who is victim of violence and to be
supportive to them.
10. Talking to other about ending violence. Talking among
people to make everyone aware of the violence against
women that occur in our everyday life.
Reference:
▪ http://odhikar.org/
▪ http://www.askbd.org/ask/
▪ http://www.bnwlabd.org/
▪ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_against_women
▪ http://www.unwomen.org/en
▪ http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/
▪ http://www.unwomen.org/en
▪ http://en.prothom-alo.com/bangladesh/news/99799/Violence-against-women-sees-
74%25-increase-in-2015