Assignment on

VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN BANGLADESH

Course code: PA-312
Course tittle: Gender, Administration and Development

Submitted to: Tasnuva Habib Zisan

Assistant Professor

Department of Public Administration

University of Barisal

Submitted by:
Name: MD. Osman Goni

Roll: 18 PAD 004

Department of Public Administration

University of Barisal

Semester: 3rd year, 1st semester.

Date of submission: 05 August 2020
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Introduction
Cases of sexual harassment and rape have been marked an alarming growth across our country.
Every day we can see the reflection of terrific situation in newspaper as well as in social media. In
the fundamental socio-economic, cultural, political and religious setting women cannot play an
emphatic role in development activities, either in the society or in the state.
Definition of Violence Against Women: Violence Against Women also known as gender violence
and sexual and gender based violence (SGBN), are violent acts primarily or exclusively committed
against women or girls. Such violence is considered a form of hate crime.

Factors of violence against women in Bangladesh:

I. Patriarchal society: As our society is patriarchal, patriarchal domination creates more
space for sexual violence in our country.
II. Forced Marriage and Child marriage: These two are one of the major cause of sexual
violence in Bangladesh. In these case most of the women are victims of vulnerable
situation. According to UNICEF “59% girls in Bangladesh are married before 18 and 22%
are married before the age of 15.” [1]
III. Trafficking of women: It is one of the vital reason of VAW. Trafficking of women for
sexual abuse is widespread in Bangladesh.
IV. Gender inequality: Gender equality should be ensured to stand against sexual violence
against women. Though Gender inequality has been improving a lot of in Bangladesh, it is
not good enough. “Bangladesh was ranked 139 out of 187 countries in.” [2]

Forms of violence against women in Bangladesh:

A. Domestic violence: “According to a recent survey by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF),
at least 4249 women and 456 children were subject to domestic violence in 27 out of 64
districts of Bangladesh in April 2020 which was the first month of lockdown due to COVID-
19.” [3]
B. Wife beating: “On April 15, 2020, Obaidul Haque Tutul (32) killed his wife Tahmina Akter
at live stream in Facebook. This incident shocked the country.” [4]
C. Rape: A statistics of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has recent been published at daily star
which says “416 women were raped and 24 or them killed after raped in the last 6 months.”
[5]
(15 July, 2020)
D. Acid Attack Burn: According to The Acid Survivors Foundation in Bangladesh, the Country
had reported 3000 acid attack victims since 2001 to 2011. It has been decreasing later more
than 20% but not satisfactory.
E. Dowry related violence: Since 2001 to 2019, 3321 women were killed, 2304 were physically
abused and 233 were committed suicide. In last year (2019) the number killing was 48 which
is the lowest number among all years. [6]
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F. Forced Prostitution: A documentary was published on 28 JUL 2017, Bangladesh Biggest

Brothel at Daulatdia, at AL JAZEERA where they showed the cruel condition of women and
child, even under 10 years, prostitutes. [7]

Reasons of Violence Against Women in Bangladesh

Lack of gender equality Women`s lower Position
Lack of awareness about right Socio Cultural restriction
Poverty Polygamy
Low Educational Level Misapplication of Religion

Women are object of enjoyment. Discrimination against women is pervasive. Girls will get less
food, medical attention and education than boys. From Girls they suddenly become wives and
mother without a right to free will. Rape in Bangladesh is not an individualistic issue but social
political or pathological part of pervasive gender violence. 2083 cases of sexual harassment
happened within (JAN-JUN, 2020) [8]. ICDDR, B study shows that “among ever married women
42% of those in rural and 40% in urban area reported physically violence by their husband. Another
study in 2011 said that 89% male in rural and 83% in in urban area think they have right to beat
up their wives.

Economic Context of VAW in Bangladesh

 Women`s day household activities have not been included in national statistics.
 Employment rate of women in Bangladesh is 28.4% where male is 71.7% [9].
 Women are engaged in agricultural and domestic activities but 72% of them unpaid labor.
 Women fill under 10% officer ranks and 10% staff position.

Recommendations:
o Government should encourage the policy for preventing and protecting victims by
enhancing the capacities, improving information and providing support to NGO.
o Government should take strict step to reduce discrimination between men & women, boys
and girls as well as practices such Dowry, early marriage, child marriage and trafficking.
o Enhancing social awareness against VAW and implementing rules and regulation as soon
as possible. Ensuring the actual analysis of religious matter.

Conclusion
We are developing country. If we want to proper development, there must be needed women to
work hand in hand with man. This will only be possible when we can reduce the violence against
women from the all sectors of the country. According to United Nations the present rank of
Bangladesh in “Gender Inequality” is- 119 which is not satisfactory. So, we must be united against
VAW and make our country an example.
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Bibliography
1. https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/child-marriage/bangladesh/
2. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_inequality_in_Bangladesh

3. https://amp.dw.com/en/covid-19-lockdown-increases-domestic-violence-in-
bangladesh/a-53411507
4. https://en.prothomalo.com/amp/story/bangladesh/crime-and-law/man-allegedly-kills-
wife-on-facebook-live-in-feni

5. https://www.thedailystar.net/416-women-raped-in-last-six-months-bangladesh-
mahila-parishad-says-1930801
6. http://odhikar.org/statistics/statistics-on-violence-against-women/
7. http://aje.io/101eastYouTube

8. https://www.thedailystar.net/country/731-women-raped-in-bangladesh-in-6-months-
1768477
9. https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2018/03/08/women-workforce-employment-
without-empowerment