Title: Prevalence, nature and determinants of violence against women in Bangladesh.

POPLINE Document Number: 305284

Author(s):

Khan ME
Aeron A

Source citation:

Journal of Family Welfare, 2006;52 Spec No:33-51.

Abstract:

Violence against women has serious consequences on the physical and mental health of women, and the urgent need to address the issue needs no emphasis. It is a major public health problem and a violation of the rights of women. Available studies indicate that 16-50 percent of women face violence in their lifetime. In patriarchal societies, particularly in South-Asian countries, the situation is much worse as violence against women is an accepted norm for "controlling" them. In countries like Bangladesh, the problem is compounded by extreme poverty, illiteracy and early marriage. What makes it very difficult to respond effectively to gender based violence is the fact that, even today, domestic violence is treated as a normal part of married life by both men and women. For programmatic interventions to address such culturally deep-rooted problems, detailed and reliable information on the prevalence, nature and causes of gender violence in the given context, is critical. One such effort is a WHO multi-country study which also covers Bangladesh. The present paper is one such attempt to understand the dynamics of gender based violence in Bangladesh. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Bangladesh
Research Report
Interviews
Domestic Violence
Prevalence
Physical Abuse
Psychological Abuse
Sexual Abuse
Pregnancy
Dowry
Patriarchy
Developing Countries
Asia, Southern
Asia
Data Collection
Research Methodology
Crime
Social Problems
Sociocultural Factors
Measurement
Violence
Behavior
Aggression
Reproduction
Nuptiality
Demographic Factors
Population
Family Characteristics
Family and Household