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A cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of SAFE on spousal violence against women and girls in slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh

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  • Ruchira Tabassum Naved
  • Mahfuz Al Mamun
  • Sanjida Akhter Mourin
  • Kausar Parvin

Abstract

Background: Bangladesh reports one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the world. Despite wide recognition of IPV as an important public health and human rights issue, evidence for IPV prevention is still inadequate. Lack of guidance on effective IPV prevention in Bangladesh resulted in targeting only women in most of the programmes. Methods: This paper assesses impact of SAFE, a 20-month intervention (March 2012 to October 2013) in slums of Dhaka on IPV and tests effectiveness of female only groups vs. no groups; and female + male groups vs. female only groups on IPV in the community using a three-arm cluster randomized controlled trial. SAFE’s core activities included interactive group sessions, community mobilisation, and services. The last two activities were common across arms. Findings: Regression analyses (female survey: baseline n = 2,666; endline n = 2,670) showed no effect of SAFE on IPV against women aged 15–29. However, sub-group analyses demonstrated 21% risk reduction of physical IPV against adolescent girls aged 15–19 in the female + male group intervention arm. A consistent reduction in sexual violence was observed in both female and female + male arms for both groups of women, but the results were not statistically significant. Interpretation: The findings emphasise the importance of combining male and female interventions for reducing physical IPV against adolescent girls. Implications for future research have been discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruchira Tabassum Naved & Mahfuz Al Mamun & Sanjida Akhter Mourin & Kausar Parvin, 2018. "A cluster randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of SAFE on spousal violence against women and girls in slums of Dhaka, Bangladesh," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0198926
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198926
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:wbk:wbpubs:20153 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Koenig, M.A. & Stephenson, R. & Ahmed, S. & Jejeebhoy, S.J. & Campbell, J., 2006. "Individual and contextual determinants of domestic violence in North India," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 96(1), pages 132-138.
    3. Green, Eric P. & Blattman, Christopher & Jamison, Julian & Annan, Jeannie, 2015. "Women's entrepreneurship and intimate partner violence: A cluster randomized trial of microenterprise assistance and partner participation in post-conflict Uganda (SSM-D-14-01580R1)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 177-188.
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    1. Arohi Anand & Animesh Karn & Avirup Mukherjee & Naboshree Bhattacharya, 2025. "Does earning money empower women? Evidence from India," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Gram, Lu & Paradkar, Sukanya & Singh, Chatush & Suryavanshi, Anand & Cislaghi, Beniamino & Osrin, David & Daruwalla, Nayreen, 2024. "Remedial, institutional or radical? Explaining community responses to violence against women in an NGO programme to prevent violence in Mumbai, India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).

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