Bangladesh Tops Global Charts in Partner Violence Against Women
1 min read
A sobering reality grips Bangladesh: domestic violence against women by intimate partners affects nearly half the female population, making it a top global hotspot. As reports emerge around International Family Day, the crisis’s depth demands national reckoning.
The Daily Star’s analysis of WHO data ranks Bangladesh 11th worldwide, second only to Afghanistan in South Asia for physical and sexual violence prevalence. This longstanding issue continues to ravage health, homes, and communities.
Key 2025 WHO stats: one in two women victimized. BBS findings break it down—46.7% physical violence, 28.5% sexual, 32.7% emotional, 9.7% economic, and over half (50.1%) facing partner control.
The landmark ‘Violence Against Women Survey 2024′ reports 70% lifetime exposure for women 15+. Beyond individual suffering, it unravels families, impairs kids’ growth, and entrenches societal divides.
Anthropology expert Professor Jobeda Nasrin from Dhaka University shares insights from her studies: children in violent homes exhibit profound trauma, aversion to intimacy, isolationist traits, and simmering resentment. To heal, Bangladesh needs comprehensive reforms—legal fortifications, education campaigns, and victim-centric services—to dismantle this vicious cycle.
