Violence against women increase in Bangladesh amid pandemic

Poor socio-economic situation, job instability and less opportunities for relaxation are the main reasons for the increasing domestic violence against women and children during the pandemic in Bangladesh, said experts.

As per an initiative of the United Nations General Assembly, November 25 every year is observed as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. This year, the theme for the day is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”

This theme will focus on amplifying the call for global action to bridge funding gaps, ensure essential services for survivors of violence during the Covid-19 crisis, focus on prevention, and collection of data that can improve life-saving services for women and girls.

Not just in Bangladesh, but the violence against women and children are increasing all over the world amid the pandemic.

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), a non-government organisation, has revealed that some 13,494 women and children were the victims of domestic violence during the lockdown period, while 4,180 from both gender groups experienced violence for the first time.

The data also said that 4,946 or 45% of women are the victim of most domestic violence cases, 3,569 victims of economic violence, 2,065 are victims of physical abuse, and 404 victims of sexual violence including rape, attempted rape and murder.

women were even sexually harassed during the collection of relief materials.

The increase in the violence rate has surprised experts because it happened when all family members gathered together in the pandemic, when they had chances to share quality time together.

According to Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), in the last 10 months, 163 women died after being tortured by their husbands, 66 were tortured for dowry, 17 faced acid violence, 889 were raped, 192 were gangraped, and 41 were murdered after being raped.

A teacher of the Anthropology Department of the University of Chittagong identified the violence as a multidimensional result.

She said that violence is not the result of an overnight incident — the patriarchal society which always tends to express their anger on subordinates is to be blamed for that.

Women seem to be captive in their home during the lockdown and do more work than normal.

But a sociologist emphasised on financial crises, which is the major reason to compel the earning members of the family to become violent.

Ridwan Mostafa, assistant professor of Department of Sociology of Chittagong University, said due to Covid-19, everyone is going through an unstable period as they lose their freedom and personal space, resulting from soaring domestic violence cases.

There was limited access to help from law enforcement or authorities, which might be another reason for the increase in violence against women and children.

Furthermore, there is no solutions or counselling available for people to lessen the violence. The government and law enforcement have their hands full with the pandemic as well.

Mental health institution Moner Janala has started some online counselling for their patients during the pandemic.

But online counselling services are limited compared to the number of cases of violence. And most of the women avoid the service because of a lack of security, said Lailun Nahar Irany, assistant professor and chairman of the Psychology Department of Chittagong University.

The services are costly as well.