Regional Delineation of Violence Exposure Among Women and Children in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh ranks fourth in Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and records higher rates of child marriage and teenage pregnancy compared to other South Asian countries. Many researchers have examined violence against women. However, only a limited number have systematically analyzed its regional distribution and underlying contextual factors. This study aims to analyze the regional distribution of exposure to violence among women and children across 64 districts of Bangladesh. A Composite Weighted Index was developed using five key indicators: experience of physical assault in childhood, child labor rates, prevalence of polygyny, women’s perception of safety, and attitudes toward domestic violence. Data were sourced primarily from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Report of 2019 and other national databases. The indicators were normalized, weighted utilizing the Composite Weighted Index Method. Data were then analyzed in SPSS and the GIS tools to show the spatial vulnerability patterns. The findings showed noticeable regional variations. The greatest risk of violence is observed in the southwestern coastal districts like Barguna, Bagerhat, and Khulna. In these communities, many women face physical abuse, do not feel safe in their surroundings, and domestic violence is socially tolerated. This risk is compounded by poverty, early marriage, disaster vulnerability, and patriarchal social structures. While major cities like Dhaka, Chattogram, and Rangpur showed moderate vulnerability with different socio-economic factors, these cities still face major challenges in reducing violence. This study emphasizes the need for geographically targeted policies and distribution of resources to address the versatile nature of violence, as the exposure varies from region to region based on unique local socioeconomic and cultural contexts.