We conducted qualitative research and
a population based survey on 3,130 women of reproductive age (15-49
years) in urban and rural areas of Bangladesh to study the
prevalence and consequences of domestic violence against women and
their coping strategies. Sixty percent of women reported ever being
physically or sexually abused during their lives. Their husbands
were the most common perpetrator. Two-thirds of the abused women
have never talked about their experience of violence and almost none
accessed formal services for support. To address this major public
health problem, the prevailing attitudes that permit and encourage
male violence against women must be directly
addressed.
Health and Science Bulletin,
4(2):1-6
