A recent survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has revealed that 70% of women in Bangladesh have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) at some point in their lives.
The findings, released as part of the "Violence Against Women Survey 2024," highlight the persistent prevalence of physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse within marital relationships.
At an event jointly organized by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh, key findings of the “Violence Against Women Survey 2024” were released. This is the third such survey following those conducted in 2011 and 2015. The 2024 survey is one of the most comprehensive and contemporary reports on the nature, extent, and impact of violence against women in Bangladesh.
Although the lifetime prevalence of intimate partner violence remains high at 70%, the past 12-month prevalence stands at 41%. In 2015, the lifetime prevalence was 73%, and the past 12-month prevalence was 55%. The survey reveals that IPV is significantly more widespread than non-partner violence.
In this survey, “intimate partner” refers to both current and former husbands, while “non-partner” includes any person the respondent encountered after the age of 15, excluding current or former husbands.
More than half (54%) of women reported experiencing physical or sexual violence—or both—by their husbands in their lifetime, while 16% reported facing such violence in the past 12 months. Additionally, controlling behavior and psychological violence were found to be the most common forms of abuse, making them a significant concern.
Furthermore, the survey found that women are three times more likely to experience physical violence from their husbands than from any other person and 14 times more likely to experience sexual violence from their husbands. This indicates that within marital relationships, the risk of physical and sexual violence is alarmingly high.
Another significant finding of the survey is the disparity in risk levels, with women in disaster-prone areas experiencing higher rates of intimate partner violence both in their lifetime and in the past 12 months compared to women in non-disaster-prone areas.
Despite the high prevalence of IPV, around 64% of women who experienced violence never disclosed it to anyone. Factors contributing to this silence include concerns about family reputation, fears about their children’s future, and the normalization of such violence.
The event was attended by key government officials, development partners, and civil society representatives. The chief guest was Sharmin S Murshid, adviser to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs.
The Government of Bangladesh and UNFPA reaffirmed their commitment to addressing violence against women based on this evidence. Special emphasis was placed on integrating the survey findings into legal frameworks, policy reforms, and national planning efforts. Additionally, they stressed the importance of strengthening support services for survivors and expanding prevention initiatives through a coordinated, multi-sectoral approach.
This household-based survey involved interviews with 27,476 women from urban, rural, disaster-prone, and slum areas. For the first time, a limited qualitative study was also conducted. The survey included experiences of violence by both intimate partners and non-partners among women aged 15 and above.
“This survey will be invaluable in shaping policies and programs to combat violence against women,” said Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Director General of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.
Aleya Akhter, secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division under the Planning Ministry, said: “The 2024 Violence Against Women Survey has enriched Bangladesh’s gender statistics and provided critical data for monitoring progress on SDG 5. These findings have been incorporated into Bangladesh’s Voluntary National Review as an indicator of violence against women, which will be presented at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in July 2025. This data will play a crucial role in taking effective steps to eliminate violence against women.”
Sharmin S Murshid, said: “Quality data is essential for building a violence-free and truly gender-equal society. This information will help guide national action plans and play a key role in developing evidence-based strategies to combat violence against women, ultimately contributing to a gender-equitable and discrimination-free society.”
Masaki Watabe, acting representative of UNFPA, said: “The partnership between the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is highly commendable. Without the relentless efforts and contributions of the women who participated in interviews and all stakeholders involved, conducting the 2024 Violence Against Women Survey would not have been possible.”
Masaki Watabe further emphasized:“This survey report is not just a collection of statistics; rather, it serves as a crucial tool for designing evidence-based strategies to combat violence against women. While some progress has been made in reducing the prevalence of violence, we need to take even more effective measures and increase investment to ensure that every woman and girl in Bangladesh can live a life free from violence.”
During the event, it was also announced that the full report, including detailed analysis and policy recommendations, is expected to be released by May.
