Domestic violence

Domestic violence

We know Bangladesh has attained success in increasing literacy rates for women and decreasing the maternal and child mortality rate but violence against women is still very high in our society.  In rural areas it is an every day matter of women lives. In 2006 ICDDR,B indicated that 60% of violence suffered by women occurs within their home. Among them 53% of women experienced sexual or physical violence from husbands.

In this vulnerable society women are facing various types of domestic violence in Bangladesh. Mainly those are physical, psychological, economical and sexual abuse and violence. Most of them reported had experienced physical violence only 13% reported of having sexual violence.

We always focus on grave social and health impact of domestic violence as it creates social instability, insecurity and gender disparity. But there is large factor –economic factor. Economic impact is also immense.

Most domestic violence involves male anger. It’s a matter of how society views masculinity. The causes of domestic violence identified range from sexual inequality within patriarchal process, poverty and a lack of understanding of women’s rights to, alarmingly, corruption within the justice system.

Government is yet to frame a set of rules necessary for its effective implementation. Awareness needs to be raised among people to make the law socially acceptable and to encourage victims to register their complaints.