The Violence Against Women (VAW) Survey 2024 shows that gender-based violence across Bangladesh remains severe and deeply rooted, cutting across regions and socioeconomic groups. The data confirms that abuse is not episodic but embedded in everyday life: emotional violence is the most widespread, followed by physical, economic, and sexual violence. Most incidents occur within intimate or family relationships, highlighting how the home continues to be the primary site of women’s vulnerability.
The survey documents high lifetime exposure to violence, showing that many women experience repeated abuse over the years. Economic violence—restriction of mobility, control over income, and denial of basic necessities—remains common, reflecting the unequal power structures shaping women’s lives. Sexual violence is significantly underreported, underscoring the stigma and fear that prevent survivors from seeking help.
Patterns of violence vary by age, location, and education. Younger women, rural women, and those with limited schooling face higher risks, revealing how gender inequality intersects with poverty and social norms. Despite the scale of the problem, reporting remains extremely low. The vast majority of survivors do not seek legal or institutional support due to social pressure, institutional mistrust, lack of accessible services, and fears of retaliation.
The findings make clear that violence against women in Bangladesh is a structural human rights crisis, not a private issue. Without stronger legal protection, survivor-centered services, community-level prevention, and long-term investment in women’s safety and autonomy, the patterns outlined in the VAW Survey will continue to reproduce themselves. The data calls for urgent national action grounded in accountability, social change, and the recognition that women’s safety is a public responsibility.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 