International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VIII, August 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Violence against Women in Bangladesh: A Comparative Study on the Factors of Rural-Urban Settings.
S.M. Shahidul
Department of Education, Pundra University of Science & Technology, Bogura, Bangladesh
Abstract: Violence against women is a lingering social problem in the world. This paper attempts to explore the nature, causes and dimensions of some important forms of violence against women in Bangladesh. This study was conducted based on secondary data from various sources in Bangladesh. To determine what type of violence is increasing and or decreasing against women currently in Bangladesh, some projections were made using a simple mathematical equation. Results exhibit that women in rural areas experience more in the form of physical, sexual and emotional violence compared to women in settings of Bangladesh. This study also theoretically explores some factors which vary between the rural and urban settings in which women experienced violence differently. Finally, the study suggests some policy recommendations to deal with the issue of violence against women.
Key Words: Violence, gender, sexism, dependence, empowerment
I. INTRODUCTION
Violence against women is a common phenomenon, particularly in the rural regions of Bangladesh. Various types of violence against women occur in Bangladesh, such as acid throwing, rape, sexual harassment, dowry related violence and various forms of domestic violence. Bangladesh is a male-dominated patriarchal society in which norms and values of its inevitably embedded violence against women. In this country, women’s prestige, position and socioeconomic status are usually determined and dominated by the male counterpart. Consequently, the subordination of women in Bangladesh tends to be responsible for the violation of basic rights of females by males in a society like Bangladesh (Reilly 2009; McMillan 2007).
Violence against women can sometimes take both physical and nonphysical forms through various religious codes and beliefs, social customs and practices which may be sustained and supported by the society of Bangladesh. The victimized women avoid counsel for fear of shame of their family and stigmatization in society. This is most likely why Bangladesh is under report violence against women. There is no perceived out for the victimized and they continue to suffer.
It is a fact that violence against women is greatly the result of perceived differences between men and women, which is ascribed to norms and beliefs of patriarchy (Hossain, Imam and Khair 2001).The social perspectives on violence imply that the power or empowerment of women depends on the