Reports of violence by husbands in Bangladesh have reached their highest level in eight years, with an average of 51 calls per day made to the national emergency service (999) in 2025. This marks a 63% increase compared to 2024, reflecting a sharp rise in reported cases of domestic violence.
Data shows that in 2025, a total of 18,626 calls, around 58% of all 32,286 reported incidents of violence against women, were specifically related to abuse by husbands. In the first two months of 2026 alone, 3,808 out of 6,227 reported cases (61%) involved allegations against husbands.
Individual cases highlight patterns of physical and psychological abuse. In one instance, a nurse was allegedly assaulted, threatened with a knife, and confined by her husband during a dispute before being rescued through a 999 call. In another case in Dhaka, a woman reported being beaten and forced out of her home at night, prompting police intervention following an emergency call.
Officials attribute the increase in reports to both rising awareness of the 999 emergency service and a growing willingness among women to seek help. However, gaps remain in accessing legal remedies. While Bangladesh has laws addressing domestic violence and dowry-related abuse, many survivors do not pursue formal legal action beyond filing complaints, and follow-up processes often remain limited.
Data from rights organizations also indicates that a significant number of reported incidents do not result in legal cases. Experts note that social pressures, fear of family breakdown, and limited awareness of legal protections continue to shape responses to domestic violence.
Source: Prothom Alo
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