Causes and Effects of Violence Against Women: The Bangladesh Perspective

Bangladesh is a small South Asian country which borders India, Myanmar, and the Bay of Bengal. Since it gained independence in 1971, Bangladesh’s economy has been growing about 6% annually. However, while the economy in Bangladesh is becoming more progressive, socially,Bangladesh still has room for advancement. Patriarchal customs mean that many women in Bangladesh face threats of violence. Some main acts of violence committed against women include dowry killings, rape, sexual harassment and stalking, acid attacks, physical and mental abuse and sex trafficking. Nearly two out of every three women in Bangladesh are victims of some form of violence. Many women in Bangladesh fail to report violence committed against them as there persists a stigma surrounding rape, abuse, and domestic violence in the country. Fortunately, laws and programs are being implemented to help reduce the amount of gender based violence that is taking place in Bangladesh. There are also specific laws which have been instituted by the Government of Bangladesh in an effort to prevent violence against women. Some of these laws include the Domestic Violence Act, 2010; and the Suppression of Violence against Women and Children Act, 2000. Though legislation is an important step towards minimizing violence against women in Bangladesh, for significant change to occur, societal attitudes must change in order to end the stigma and victim-blaming that women face when they report violence carried out against them.