Socioeconomic factors and processes associated with domestic violence in rural Bangladesh.
BACKGROUND
Although the pervasiveness of domestic violence against women in Bangladesh is well documented, specific risk factors, particularly those that can be affected by policies and programs, are not well understood.


METHODS
In 2001-2002, surveys, in-depth interviews and small group discussions were conducted with married women from six Bangladeshi villages to examine the types and severity of domestic violence, and to explore the pathways through which women's social and economic circumstances may influence their vulnerability to violence in marriage. Women's odds of experiencing domestic violence in the past year were assessed by logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
Of about 1,200 women surveyed, 67% had ever experienced domestic violence, and 35% had done so in the past year. According to the qualitative findings, participants expected women with more education and income to be less vulnerable to domestic violence; they also believed (or hoped) that having a dowry or a registered marriage could strengthen a women's position in her marriage. Yet, of these potential factors, only education was associated with significantly reduced odds of violence; meanwhile, the odds were increased for women who had a dowry agreement or had personal earnings that contributed more than nominally to the marital household. Women strongly supported educating their daughters, but pressures remain to marry them early, in part to avoid high dowry costs.


CONCLUSIONS
In rural Bangladesh, women's social and economic circumstances may influence their risk of domestic violence in complex and contradictory ways. Findings also suggest a disconnect between women's emerging expectations and their current realities.
Bates
Lisa M
LM
Empowerment of Women Research Program, Center for Applied Behavioral and Evaluation Research, Academy for Educational Development, Boston, MA, USA. lbates@hsph.harvard.edu
Schuler
Sidney Ruth
SR
Islam
Farzana
F
Islam
Khairul
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001459:Bangladesh / Q000453:epidemiology; D018585:Battered Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012424:Rural Population; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires