Break the silence on domestic violence
A major survey carried out by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in collaboration with the UNFPA has confirmed our worst fears: that women are three times more likely to face physical abuse and over 14 times more likely to suffer sexual violence from their husbands than from others. According to the Violence Against Women Survey 2024—based on interviews with 27,476 women—54 percent of the respondents reported experiencing physical and/or sexual abuse by their husbands at some point in their marital lives. Moreover, 70 percent experienced at least one form of abuse—physical, sexual, emotional or economic—at some stage. These figures are staggering, even if not entirely surprising, given the silence enforced on intimate partner violence (IPV) in our typically conservative society.
To understand how widespread this has become, it is sufficient to note that 41 percent of the respondents reported being abused by their intimate partners during the 12-month survey period alone. And the fact that 76 percent of women in rural areas and 75.6 percent in urban areas faced such abuse—with smaller margins of difference among divisions than one would have expected—shows how this has transcended geographical divides. This may come as a surprise to some as urban households are often thought to be more educated. The types of abuse experienced by married women are also diverse, with the most common being controlling behaviour and emotional abuse, underscoring the severity of psychological violence in relationships.
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This landmark national survey—the third of its kind—offers comprehensive insights into the scale and impact of violence against women. Only the other day, we expressed our concern about the frequent incidents of rape and sexual violence being reported across the country. Among such crimes, IPV is one that deserves to be particularly highlighted because of the silence around it, with many frowning upon even the mere acknowledgment of abuse within marriages. The survey's finding that 64 percent of the victims never share their experiences—and only 7.4 percent seek legal action—is a stark reminder of how deeply ingrained such silence is. It may stem from a desire to protect family reputation, concerns for children's well-being, and the perception that such abuse is "normal." Whatever the cause may be, the culture of silence and denial only enables the perpetrators, helping perpetuate domestic violence through generations.
There is, therefore, no alternative to raising awareness and encouraging married women to speak out without fearing stigma and judgement. Equally importantly, men must be engaged in this effort—through education, community programmes, and stricter accountability—to end the impunity that allows such abuse to persist. At the same time, the government must act on the findings of the BBS survey and implement its recommendations so that there are greater protections against all forms of gender-based violence, including domestic violence.
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