VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DURING COVID-19 IN BANGLADESH
Keywords:
Bangladesh, COVID-19, Gender, Violence against Women (VAW).
Abstract
COVID-19 has become one of the biggest humanitarian crises affecting millions of lives around the world. Bangladesh is also affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Society, health, and economic sectors of Bangladesh are affected by this pandemic. Violence against Women is also common in Bangladesh. This study discusses the trends of violence against women in Bangladesh during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevailing gender norms, patriarchy, and socio-economic factors made women of Bangladesh vulnerable to different forms of gender-based violence. Women face different types of gender-based violence such as rape, domestic violence, dowry-related violence, sexual harassment, and stalking. The objective of the study is to find out the trends of violence against women during COVID-19, underlying factors behind such acts, and the consequences of such violence on women’s lives. The study is done using qualitative research techniques. In-depth interview, Key Informant Interview (KII), document analysis techniques were used to collect data. This study found that socio-cultural factors and prevailing gender norms played a significant role in the spike of violence against women during the pandemic causing extreme social, psychological, economic, and health harm to women.
JEL Classification Codes: K42, K38, N35.
References
Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). (2020). Statistics on Human Rights Violations. Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK). Retrieved from https://www.askbd.org/ask/statistics-on-human-rights-violations/?_page=3
Corona Info. (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information Bangladesh. Corona Info. Retrieved from https://corona.gov.bd
Crowell, N. A., & Burgess, A. W. (1996). Understanding Violence Against Women. National Academy Press. Retrieved from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/162272NCJRS.pdf
Dhaka Tribune. (2017, October 25). Sultana Kamal: 87% of women face domestic violence in Bangladesh. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/10/25/sultana-kamal-87-women-face-domestic-violence-bangladesh
Dhaka Tribune. (2018, December 6). Research shows 66% of Bangladeshi women are victims of domestic violence. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/12/06/research-shows-66-bangladeshi-women-are-victims-of-domestic-violence
Dhaka Tribune. (2020a, November 24). 16,000 women experienced violence at home first time amid Covid-19 pandemic. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/health/coronavirus/2020/11/24/16-000-women-experienced-violence-at-home-first-time-amid-covid-19-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0OrJe_FADY7fwJK5KNh4ixxMKpXbthK4MnmhYk_iJnPQLq9o7ftAYTmcU
Dhaka Tribune. (2020b, November 26). Speakers: Spike in gender-based violence amid Covid-19 pandemic. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/11/26/speakers-spike-in-gender-based-violence-amid-covid-19-pandemic
Dhaka Tribune. (2020c, December 1). Study: Gender-based violence in Bangladesh up by 24% amid Covid-19 pandemic. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/health/coronavirus/2020/12/01/study-gender-based-violence-on-the-rise-amid-covid-19-pandemic
Ellsberg, M., & Heise, L. (2005). Researching violence against women: a practical guide for researchers and activists.
Hossen, M. A. (2014). Measuring Gender-based violence: Results of the Violence Against Women (VAW) Survey in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/Mexico_Nov2014/Session%203%20Bangladesh%20paper.pdf
Human Rights Watch. (2020). “I Sleep in My Own Deathbed” Violence against Women and Girls in Bangladesh: Barriers to Legal Recourse and Support. In Save the Children’s Resource Centre. Retrieved from https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/library/violence-against-women-and-girls-bangladesh-barriers-legal-recourse-and-support
Hossain, K. T., Imam, M. H., & Khair, S. (2001). Males’ Perception on Violence Against Women in Bangladesh (mimeo). Dhaka: British Council.
International Federation For Human Rights. (2020, November 24). Violence against women on the rise amid COVID-19 and rampant impunity. International Federation for Human Rights. Retrieved from https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/bangladesh/violence-against-women-on-the-rise-amid-covid-19-and-rampant-impunity
Latifee, E. H., & Hossian, M. S. (2020, August 22). Covid-19 pandemic: Choosing between job and entrepreneurship. The Business Standard. Retrieved from https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/covid-19-pandemic-choosing-between-job-and-entrepreneurship-122680
Mahtab, N. (2012). Women, Gender and Development: Contemporary Issues. A H Development Publishing House.
Odhikar. (2020). Statistics on Violence against women. Odhikar; Dhikar. Retrieved from http://odhikar.org/statistics/statistics-on-violence-against-women/
Oxfam International. (2020). Securing Protection for Domestic Workers in Bangladesh. Oxfam Digital Repository; Retrieved from https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/621102/cs-securing-protection-domestic-workers-171120-en.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Prothom Alo. (2021, March 12). Bangladesh ranks 4th in violence against women by intimate partner. Prothomalo. Retrieved from https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-ranks-4th-in-violence-against-women-by-intimate-partner
Relief Web. (2017, September 21). Questions and Answers: EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls. ReliefWeb. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/questions-and-answers-eu-un-spotlight-initiative-eliminate-violence-against-women-and
Runyan, A. (2018). What Is Intersectionality and Why Is It Important? American Association of University Professors. Retrieved from https://www.aaup.org/article/what-intersectionality-and-why-it-important
Shuvro, R. A., & Talukder, Md. M. (2020). Impact of “COVID-19” on the Life of Destitute People: A Soft-Measurement in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research, 2(2), 17–31. https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v2i2.723
The Daily Star. (2019, November 25). Violence against women cannot be normalised. . Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/news/violence-against-women-cannot-be-normalised-1831597
The Financial Express. (2020, June 25). 13pc people lost jobs due to Covid-19 pandemic: BIDS survey. The Financial Express. Retrieved from https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/13pc-people-lost-jobs-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-bids-survey-1593064095
The United Nations (UN). (2016). Gender Statistics - Violence against Women. The United Nations Statistics Division. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/vaw/
UN Women. (2010). The Life Cycle and Violence. Retrieved from https://www.endvawnow.org/en/articles/ 298-the-life-cycle-and-violence.html
UN Women. (2021). Global Database on Violence against Women. UN Women. Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/pt/countries/asia/bangladesh
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). Coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic. UNDP. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/coronavirus.html
Women’s and Gender Center. (2021). Rape Culture. Marshall University. Retrieved from https://www.marshall.edu/wcenter/sexual-assault/rape-culture/
Corona Info. (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Information Bangladesh. Corona Info. Retrieved from https://corona.gov.bd
Crowell, N. A., & Burgess, A. W. (1996). Understanding Violence Against Women. National Academy Press. Retrieved from https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/162272NCJRS.pdf
Dhaka Tribune. (2017, October 25). Sultana Kamal: 87% of women face domestic violence in Bangladesh. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2017/10/25/sultana-kamal-87-women-face-domestic-violence-bangladesh
Dhaka Tribune. (2018, December 6). Research shows 66% of Bangladeshi women are victims of domestic violence. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2018/12/06/research-shows-66-bangladeshi-women-are-victims-of-domestic-violence
Dhaka Tribune. (2020a, November 24). 16,000 women experienced violence at home first time amid Covid-19 pandemic. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/health/coronavirus/2020/11/24/16-000-women-experienced-violence-at-home-first-time-amid-covid-19-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0OrJe_FADY7fwJK5KNh4ixxMKpXbthK4MnmhYk_iJnPQLq9o7ftAYTmcU
Dhaka Tribune. (2020b, November 26). Speakers: Spike in gender-based violence amid Covid-19 pandemic. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/11/26/speakers-spike-in-gender-based-violence-amid-covid-19-pandemic
Dhaka Tribune. (2020c, December 1). Study: Gender-based violence in Bangladesh up by 24% amid Covid-19 pandemic. Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved from https://www.dhakatribune.com/health/coronavirus/2020/12/01/study-gender-based-violence-on-the-rise-amid-covid-19-pandemic
Ellsberg, M., & Heise, L. (2005). Researching violence against women: a practical guide for researchers and activists.
Hossen, M. A. (2014). Measuring Gender-based violence: Results of the Violence Against Women (VAW) Survey in Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/Mexico_Nov2014/Session%203%20Bangladesh%20paper.pdf
Human Rights Watch. (2020). “I Sleep in My Own Deathbed” Violence against Women and Girls in Bangladesh: Barriers to Legal Recourse and Support. In Save the Children’s Resource Centre. Retrieved from https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/library/violence-against-women-and-girls-bangladesh-barriers-legal-recourse-and-support
Hossain, K. T., Imam, M. H., & Khair, S. (2001). Males’ Perception on Violence Against Women in Bangladesh (mimeo). Dhaka: British Council.
International Federation For Human Rights. (2020, November 24). Violence against women on the rise amid COVID-19 and rampant impunity. International Federation for Human Rights. Retrieved from https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/bangladesh/violence-against-women-on-the-rise-amid-covid-19-and-rampant-impunity
Latifee, E. H., & Hossian, M. S. (2020, August 22). Covid-19 pandemic: Choosing between job and entrepreneurship. The Business Standard. Retrieved from https://www.tbsnews.net/thoughts/covid-19-pandemic-choosing-between-job-and-entrepreneurship-122680
Mahtab, N. (2012). Women, Gender and Development: Contemporary Issues. A H Development Publishing House.
Odhikar. (2020). Statistics on Violence against women. Odhikar; Dhikar. Retrieved from http://odhikar.org/statistics/statistics-on-violence-against-women/
Oxfam International. (2020). Securing Protection for Domestic Workers in Bangladesh. Oxfam Digital Repository; Retrieved from https://oxfamilibrary.openrepository.com/bitstream/handle/10546/621102/cs-securing-protection-domestic-workers-171120-en.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
Prothom Alo. (2021, March 12). Bangladesh ranks 4th in violence against women by intimate partner. Prothomalo. Retrieved from https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/bangladesh-ranks-4th-in-violence-against-women-by-intimate-partner
Relief Web. (2017, September 21). Questions and Answers: EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate violence against women and girls. ReliefWeb. Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/world/questions-and-answers-eu-un-spotlight-initiative-eliminate-violence-against-women-and
Runyan, A. (2018). What Is Intersectionality and Why Is It Important? American Association of University Professors. Retrieved from https://www.aaup.org/article/what-intersectionality-and-why-it-important
Shuvro, R. A., & Talukder, Md. M. (2020). Impact of “COVID-19” on the Life of Destitute People: A Soft-Measurement in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research, 2(2), 17–31. https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v2i2.723
The Daily Star. (2019, November 25). Violence against women cannot be normalised. . Retrieved from https://www.thedailystar.net/editorial/news/violence-against-women-cannot-be-normalised-1831597
The Financial Express. (2020, June 25). 13pc people lost jobs due to Covid-19 pandemic: BIDS survey. The Financial Express. Retrieved from https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/13pc-people-lost-jobs-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-bids-survey-1593064095
The United Nations (UN). (2016). Gender Statistics - Violence against Women. The United Nations Statistics Division. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/gender/vaw/
UN Women. (2010). The Life Cycle and Violence. Retrieved from https://www.endvawnow.org/en/articles/ 298-the-life-cycle-and-violence.html
UN Women. (2021). Global Database on Violence against Women. UN Women. Retrieved December 12, 2020, from https://evaw-global-database.unwomen.org/pt/countries/asia/bangladesh
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2020). Coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic. UNDP. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/coronavirus.html
Women’s and Gender Center. (2021). Rape Culture. Marshall University. Retrieved from https://www.marshall.edu/wcenter/sexual-assault/rape-culture/
Published
2021-05-08
How to Cite
Chowdhury, M. M. (2021). VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN DURING COVID-19 IN BANGLADESH. Bangladesh Journal of Multidisciplinary Scientific Research, 3(1), 45-59. https://doi.org/10.46281/bjmsr.v3i1.1113
Issue
Section
Research Paper/Theoretical Paper/Review Paper/Short Communication Paper
Copyright (c) 2021 Md. Mahabub Chowdhury
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
