Public-Health Response of Spousal Violence in Bangladesh
Spousal violence is a severe public-health issue in Bangladesh. This issue is complicated one as it is traditionally and socially sensitive issue. In Most of the women’s lifetime, they must experience spousal violence at least once. Immediate injury and homicide, depression, poor health, and suicide are some of the severe consequences of such violence. There is a higher risk of spousal violence with young women, women with no education, and women just beginning income-generating activities have a higher risk of being victim of spousal violence. Spousal violence against women is high in Bangladesh. It has adverse effect on health of women. Government has revealed their sincere commitment to eliminating violence against women. Research institutions, non-governmental and civil society organizations have critical roles to play in working with the Government of Bangladesh as a united front to reduce violence against women. In recent years in Bangladesh, researchers have documented the prevalence of physical, sexual and emotional abuse, associations between violence and physical and mental health, characteristics associated with the risk of experiencing violence, particularly spousal violence, and attitudes of women towards spousal violence and coping strategies.
However, very less research has been done in this aspect. This paper tries to summarize the available research findings regarding this issue, in order to reduce the incidence of spousal violence to document. The purpose of this literature review is to organize and synthesize the empirical evidence on spousal violence against women in Bangladesh and to provide direction for both researchers and practitioners for future work in this area.
Reference:
Johnston, H. B., & Naved, R. T. (2008). Spousal violence in Bangladesh: a call for a public-health response. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 366-377.