Dr. Matiur Rahman :
Domestic violence (usually violence that takes place against women in the home or family) is a crucial social problem in Bangladesh. Almost at every family or home across the country women are the victims of domestic violence. A survey revealed that women who became victims of domestic violence faced different types of physical and psychological problems. It also impacted the children.
Physical problems are the most common result of domestic violence against women. A good majority (73.5%) of the women respondents who became victims of domestic violence mentioned that they suffer from cutting and injuries on the body due to domestic violence. Around one-fifth (20%) of them mentioned the bone injury. Around 69.4% of them mentioned that their internal organs of the body were damaged.
About two-thirds (63.5%) of them mentioned that due to domestic violence unexpected pregnancy occurred. Sometimes women become victims of forced sex by their husband. As a result victims of such forced sex may become pregnant unexpectedly. Around one-fourth (25%) of them mentioned that they feel the syndrome of different gynaecological problems. Around 37.6 per cent of the respondents mentioned that due to violence an unexpected abortion happened.
Over one-fourth, (25.5%) of the respondents mentioned that they suffer from kidney-related problems due to domestic violence. Around 17.6% of them mentioned that they feel deep pain in the bottom belly.
Mental disorder due to domestic violence against women is also explored in the present research. Around 61.1 percent of the respondents mentioned about mental stress and illness due to domestic violence. Around 12 percent of them suffer from frustration. About two-thirds (63.5%) of the respondents opined that they always remain in frightening situations.
Around 91.1 percent of the respondents mentioned that they always feel tension. Around one-fifth (20%) of them mentioned that they lost control over them. Over one-third (34.3%) of them, mentioned that they lost interest in sexual intercourse.
More than one-fourth (25.9%) of the respondents mentioned that they lost interest in taking meals. Around one-fifth (20.0%) of them said that they suffer from havoc. Over one-fifth (21.2%) of them have been told that they suffer from mental disorders. Around 12.3 percent of them have mentioned that they tried to commit suicide due to domestic violence.
In the present study impact of domestic violence on children are also explored. More than one-third (36.4%) of the victims respondents with children mentioned that their children suffer from health-related problems like weight loss, sleeping problems, unwillingness to eat food, fever, malnutrition, etc. A good majority of them (63.5%) also mentioned that it created problems among children to adjust with the peer group, friends and playmates.
About one-fourth (24.7%) of them mentioned that due to domestic violence on their mother children kept away themselves isolated. A large majority of the respondents (63.5%) mentioned that their children get frightened always. Children also became aggressive was mentioned by 27.1 percent of the respondents. More than one-fourth (27.1%) of the respondents told that children who observe domestic violence lost interest in education.
Based on the findings, the study suggests that measures should be taken to change social attitudes and beliefs that legitimise domestic violence against women. Education, mass media campaign, street drama, etc. can play an important role in this regard. NGOs and government organisations also can take different programs to this end. Moreover, there is a need to involve civil society, religious leaders and other conscious people in the community to make people be aware of the menace.
Victims need to be provided with direct support, counselling and legal aid. Some form of counselling for men is also needed to raise their awareness of human rights and gender issues. The issue of domestic violence against women should be included in school curricula, at all levels, from primary to tertiary and vocational training.
All acts regarding violence against women (Domestic violence prevention and protection act, Acid control act, Dowry Prohibition act, etc) should be strictly enforced with the provision for stringent punishment for offenders.
Economic empowerment of women is an important means to fight back at domestic violence and injustice as it raises self-worth and supplement with resources to fight her battle. Therefore, girls will have to be given the necessary skill, training, education and employment opportunities so that they are capable of supporting themselves.
(Dr. Matiur is Research Consultant, Human Development Research Centre).
