Violence against women: Most victims abused by spouses

Women in Bangladesh are three times more likely to be physically abused and more than 14 times more likely to suffer sexual violence from their spouses than from others, according to a statistical office in the Bangladesh Statistics Office (Vaw).

Over half of all women in Bangladesh (54 percent) reported physical and/or sexual abuse by their spouses at one point in their marital life, 16 percent living such violence last year.

The survey against violence against women 2024 – based on interviews with 27,476 women – reveals that the violence of intimate partners (IPV) remains widespread, 70 percent of respondents undergoing at least one form of abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional, economic or control, at some point in their lives.

Only in the last year, 41 percent of women reported that they were abused. In comparison, the figures were 73 percent for life prevalence and 55 percent for last year’s prevalence in the 2015 survey.

When included acts of violence specific to the context of Bangladesh, the prevalence continues to increase, 76 percent of women who face the IPV in their lives and 49 percent in the last year.

The director of the BBS project, Iftekhair Karim, presented the study, prepared in collaboration with UNFPA, yesterday at the BBS auditor in the Capital.

According to the study, 76 percent of women in rural areas and 75.6 percent in urban areas are facing IPV.

Among the divisions, Barishal and Khulna have the highest IPV rates at 81.5 percent, while Sylhet relates the lowest to 72.1 percent. In Dhaka, the IPV rate is 72.9 percent, in Chattogram 78.5 percent, in Mymensingh 75.1 percent, in Rajshahi 74.5 percent, and in the 74.1 percent rank.

The study showed in addition that the most widespread forms of IPV were the control of emotional behavior and violence, emphasizing psychological abuse as a critical concern.

This third landmark of such a third landmark, following the 2011 and 2015 studies, confessed complete and updated information on the staircase and impact of violence against Bangladesh women, BBS officials said.

The results are based on standard UN measures widely used for global monitoring of violence against women.

Despite the high prevalence of the IPV, the survey found that 64 percent of the victims never shared their experiences with anyone. Only 7.4 percent of victims of violence require legal actions, while 93.6 percent no.

This silence comes from factors such as the desire to protect the family’s reputation, concerns about their children’s well -being and the perception that such violence is “normal”.

The survey also revealed significant disappearances in vulnerability, women in areas prone to disasters with a higher risk of IPV-so in their lives and in the last 12 months.

The general manager of BBS, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, who presided over the event, said: “The poll is vital for understanding violence against women in the country. With previous polls in 2011 and 2015, this third iteration in 2024 reaffirms the leadership of Bangladesh to South Asia on this critical issue.

“This household survey interviewed 27,476 women from urban, rural areas, prone to disasters and slums, incorporating qualitative data for the first time. By surprising women’s experiences, both from intimate and non-participating partners, the survey provides information to the policy women. ”

Alya Akter, the secretary of the BBS statistics and computer division, highlighted the role of the poll in strengthening gender statistics.

“The survey of violence against women in 2024 provides essential data to track SDG-5, including VAW key indicators for Bangladesh’s national national level Political Forum in July 2025. This data will guide national efforts to improve the response and lead the action to end violence.”

The counselor for women and children, Shameen, Mrshid, stressed the importance of quality data in the elaboration of policies.

“This survey is crucial for the development of evidence -based strategies for eradicating violence against women and building a equitable gender society without discrimination.”

The representative of UNFPA, Masaki Watabe, praised the strong collaboration between BBS and the Ministry of Affairs for Women and Children.

“This report is more than just statistics is a vital tool for developing evidence to combat violence against women. While some progress has been made, we must intensify efforts and invest more in ensuring that every woman and girl from Bangladesh can live without violence.”