Ending the Taboo of Violence Against Women

In order to prevent violence against women, understanding men’s controlling attitudes and behaviors toward women is necessary. In Bangladesh, while the incidence of men’s violence against women is alarmingly increasing, existing research to understand the determinants of men’s violent behavior resulted in contradictory findings. The current study explores rural Bangladeshi men’s support for gender norms, beliefs, and attitudes concerning violence against women, and looks at how these are influenced by men’s age, marital status, education, and affiliation with organizations that promote gender equality. The study also attempts to understand men’s bystander attitudes and responses to incidents of violence against women. Results indicate that in the study areas, young, unmarried men are less supportive to gender norms, beliefs, and attitudes that promote violence against women. Positive association was observed with men’s educational attainment and affiliation with nongovernmental organization (NGO) interventions. Regardless of age, marital status, or education, men’s bystander response toward intervening to prevent violence against women was found to be low. Women showed similar level of support for inequitable gender norms, beliefs, and attitudes. Based on the findings, the study also identifies possible strategies for violence prevention interventions in Bangladesh.

Reference:

Fattah, K. N., & Camellia, S. (2017). Gender Norms and Beliefs, and Men’s Violence Against Women in Rural Bangladesh. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 0886260517690875.

http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0886260517690875