Three in every four women face violence in Bangladesh: BBS–UNFPA survey

At least three out of every four women in Bangladesh have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime, according to a new survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The “Violence Against Women Survey 2024”, unveiled on Monday (October 13) in Dhaka, reveals that 76% of women aged 15 and above have faced physical, sexual, psychological, or economic violence by their spouses or intimate partners. Within the past year alone, 49% of women endured such abuse, while a striking 62% of victims never disclosed their experiences.

The BBS noted that the survey included UN-defined indicators along with additional categories relevant to Bangladesh’s social context. Findings show that 15% of women suffered physical violence by non-partners, and 2.2% experienced sexual assault by someone other than their spouse.

BBS Director General Mohammad Mizanur Rahman described the study as the most comprehensive of its kind in Bangladesh’s history, saying it provides “reliable evidence on the scale, impact, and trends of gender-based violence,” crucial for policymaking.

Although the overall rate of spousal violence declined from 66% in 2015 to 49% in 2024, the report stresses persistent underreporting and limited access to justice. Only 14.5% of victims sought medical treatment, and a mere 7.4% took legal action against their husbands. For non-spousal assaults, that figure drops to 3.8%.

The report also shows that 54% of women experienced physical or sexual violence by their husbands at least once in their lives, while 7.2% endured physical and 5.3% sexual violence during pregnancy—posing serious health risks for both mother and child.

Technology-related abuse has emerged as a growing concern, affecting 8.3% of women through online harassment, image misuse, or digital surveillance.

Awareness remains alarmingly low—only 48.5% of women know how to report violence, and just 12.3% are aware of the national helpline “109.”

Key risk factors identified include dowry-related abuse, substance addiction, extramarital affairs, and living in urban slums, while higher spousal education was found to reduce violence risk.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Quayyum Ara Begum, member of the Planning Commission, emphasized the need for evidence-based policies to curb gender-based violence.

UNFPA Representative Catherine Breen Kamkong urged stronger initiatives to prevent violence, support survivors, and ensure justice, adding that “these numbers reflect the lived realities of countless Bangladeshi women.”

Panelists including Shireen Huq, Chair of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission, Dr. ShoebReazAlam, DIG of SPBN, and Prof. Dr. Sanjida Akhter of Dhaka University, echoed the call for institutional reforms and stronger community mechanisms to protect women and children.