A national survey released on Monday reveals that over 75% of married women in Bangladesh experience partner violence at least once in their lifetime.
Catherine Breen Kamkong from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) emphasized, “This report should initiate transformative actions to prevent violence, enhance services, and ensure justice for survivors.”
The survey indicates that younger women aged 15-19, as well as those living in urban slums and disaster-prone areas like Barisal and Khulna, report even higher incidences, exceeding 80%.
Conducted by Bangladesh’s Bureau of Statistics with UNFPA support, the survey interviewed over 27,000 women nationwide, documenting cases of physical, sexual, and economic violence, alongside controlling behaviors.
Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, head of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, stated that the survey offers “strong evidence on the prevalence, causes, and impact of violence,” which is “essential for policy making.”
This Violence Against Women survey, the third since 2011, noted a slight decrease, with 83% of women reporting violence in 2015.
Bangladesh has faced political instability since a 2024 uprising ousted Sheikh Hasina’s hardline government.
The Muslim-majority nation of 170 million is set to hold elections in February 2026, marking the first since the mass uprising.
Bangladesh’s top women’s rights organization has previously reported a significant rise in rape cases, attributing it to deteriorating security.
Fauzia Moslem, president of the Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, noted in August that the number of sexual assaults in the first half of 2025 nearly matched the total from the previous year, which also included deadly protests.
