Draft
A Study Report
on
Situation of Violence Against Women (VAW) in
Six Selected Districts under Dhaka Division
Prepared By : Mahmuda Khandker
PRIP Trust
House # 72, Road # 8/A, Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1209
April – 2009
Study Team Members:

Study Coordinator: Mahmuda Khandker Bithi

Research Assistance:, Nural Huda, Supti Dibra and Shishir Ghose from PRIP Trust
and 6 Partner NGOs of the project.

IT support: Emran Bin Nasir
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Abbreviations:
VAW
Violence Against Women
PNGO
Partner Non Government Organization
INGO
International Non Government Organization
JS
Jagorani Sangastha
GBSS
Gram Bikash Shohayak Sangstha
MPS
Manob Progati Sangho
NUSA
Naria Unnayan Samity
BBS
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics
Govt.
Government
GO
Government Organization
UN
United Nations
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
IDI
In-Depth Interview
FGD
Focus Group Discussion
PRA
Participatory Rural Appraisal
UP
Union Parishad
UNO
Upazila Nirbahi Officer
BRAC
Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee
MoWCA
Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs
PS
Police Station
BNWLA
Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association
MALA
Madaripur Legal Aid Associations
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Table of Contents
Subject
Page
No.
Chapter One: General Information:
5
1. Introduction
5
2. Rational of the study
6
3. Objectives of the study
7
4. Methodology of the study
7
5.Tools and techniques used
7
6. Selection of study areas and respondant
8
7. The study target groups
9
8. Limitation of the study
9
Chapter Two: A Brief Description of the Project:
10
Chapter Three: Organisational Capacity of the PNGOs:
11
3.1. Overall situation of the organisation
11
3.2. Existing capacities of the organisation to combat VAW
11
Chapter Four: Situation of VAW in the Project Area:
22
4.1. Conceptual Clarity about VAW
22
4.2. Nature of violence against women
23
4.3. Top ten contributor of VAW
24
4.4. Underlying causes of VAW
25
4.5. Position of women in family
28
4.6. Position of women in society
29
4.7. Mobility of women in the study area
30
4.8. Awareness on available support to combat VAW
30
4.9. Institutions which can play important role to combat VAW
31
4.10. Knowledge on existing laws to combat VAW
33
4.11. Role of PNGOs to combat VAW
34
Chapter Five: Capacity of the grass-root level women
37
5.1. Socio-economic profile of community women
37
Chapter Six : Recommendations
42
Chapter Seven : Conclusions
44
References:
47
Annexure
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Chapter One: Introduction:
1.1 Context of the study:
The constitution of Bangladesh provides equal rights to both men and women of the country.
The ratio of women: men in Bangladesh is 100:106 (BBS 2006). Excessive mortality among
women due to discrimination has resulted in a sex ratio in the population of 106 men to
every 100 women (source-Ref.no. 6). There are various legal provisions that can easily
safeguard women from domestic oppression and violence. But inactiveness of law lies in the
fact, that both substantive and procedural laws are not gender sensitive. Violence against
women is a common occurrence in Bangladesh regardless of violence whether it is physical
or mental. Women and girls are generally looked down upon, trapped within cultural
framework and rigid perceptions of patriarchy. Any form of torture (physical or mental) can
be considered as an offensive and inhuman act against women. The Beijing Platform for
Action (’95), declared by UN 4th International Women Summit, defined VAW to be “any act
of gender-based violence that results in, or likely to result in, physical, sexual or
physiological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or
arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life”.
Women’s empowerment through establishing and upholding their rights and dignity are two
of the many pre-requisites for national development, and is recognized nationally, as well as
globally. The level of violence against women is directly related to the development process
of the country. High school, health and economic cost to individuals and society can be
associated in the context of VAW.
Violence against women in Bangladesh is vast. The accurate information regarding domestic
violence, sexual harassment, dowry, rape and other types of violence remains unknown, due
to social harassment of victims of VAW. A research found that 80% rapist are set free due to
unprofessional investigation, the existing legal system and victims lack of interest in
providing testimony. There is an idea that more than 40% women face domestic violence
and 19% have experienced of life threatening physical torture. According to CPD, 4.1 % of
GDP is spent to bear the cost of health sector due to violence of women. It is our existing
socio-economic condition, which makes women from all walks of life, vulnerable to different
forms of violence. Women’s rights are violated everywhere. Women are subject to many
fold discriminatory behavior and repression at all stages within the -family, community,
workplace and society, at large.
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A finding, commonly identified by various researches, demonstrates that, domestic violence,
sexual harassment, dowry, eve-teasing is closely interlinked reinforcing each other, and
when we mention ‘Fighting violence against women’ we mean reducing domestic violence,
we mean ending of eve-teasing too. While the govt. is talking about taking different positive
steps for women empowerment, where there are serious and real allegations for failing to
provide a secure environment to women in the public sphere.
The role of NGOS and voluntary organizations in Bangladesh’ is the sector of social
development is earning increasing recognition. NGOs, especially, those working on women
issues, perticularly to combat violence against women, and to ensure women rights. The
involvement of NGOs concentrates on women’s empowerment, legal protection, awareness
raising, networking and advocacy. They are disseminating information through various print,
electronic and interpersonal methods. Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Bangladesh National
Women Lawyers Association, Ain-O-Shalish Kendra, Steps Towards Development,
Naripakkha, Bangladesh Nari Progoti Sangstha, Nijera Kori and PRIP Trust are some of the
leading women’s organizations amonggest many other reputed ones. Realizing the
magnitude of the problem, government is increasingly recognizing NGOs role in building a
united social movement against issues on violence against women.
In order to combat violence against women a project, “Facilitate Women Leadership
Development Process at Grassroots Levels for Reducing Violence Against Women” was
initiated by PRIP Trust. This aimed at strengthening the capacities of 6 women headed civil
society organization of Dhaka Division for combating violence against women. Technical
support was provided to the targeted NGOs for establishing a network for strengthening
institutional capacities and management abilities.
Most of the partner Women Headed NGOs are small in size, local in character, exists and
operates in a village or few villages, limited in resources and simple in structure.
Functionally, most of these NGOs undertake one or a few projects with major focus on
Women’s Empowerment. This study is a snap shot of situation of VAW within the 6 districts
(project area) of Dhaka division, namely Narshingdi, Tangail, Gopalganj, Shariatpur,
Narayanganj and kishorganj.
1.2 Rationale of the study:
This study will help to learn about the present situation of VAW in 6 project Districts at the
end of the project. The immediate effect of the project can be seen through the comparison
of present study and baseline survey, which was conducted on 2008 and also will help us to
Study Report on VAW
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understand the kind of support they will require to improve the capacity to combat VAW
further within their working areas.
1.3 Objectives of the study:

To gain in depth understanding about the existing status and conditions of VAW in the
project areas

To capture the present level of participation of women in public functions

To identify the level of awareness of community, including other relevant stakeholders
regarding women’s rights and the consequences on violation of those rights

To identify the nature of violence and their underlying causes, which prominently exists
in the project areas

To get information on the existing Govt. and Non Govt. Agencies, where the victims of
VAW received support at local level

To examine the current level of women’s accessibility in the facilities which contribute in
women empowerment, both at family and societal level

To suggest necessary measures to improve the situation of VAW
1.4 Methodology of the study:
The study was designed and conducted by PRIP Trust involving 6 partner NGOs. PRIP
Trust took lead role in the development of the study design, setting of methodologies, tools
and techniques. The selection of study area and sample was done in consultation with the
PNGOs. According to the plan, 6 PNGOs shouldered key responsibilities for data
capturing/collection on the situation of VAW in their respective areas. PRIP Trust organized
an orientation for the participating NGOs on the study methodology, data collection tools and
techniques, and provided regular follow-up during data collection. Data entry, compilation,
analysis and report preparation was ensured by PRIP Trust.
1.4.1 Tools and techniques used:
The study used both qualitative and quantitative methods for data collection. Five sets of
checklists/questionnaires was used for collection of data. Two checklists have been used for
qualitative data collection. One checklist has been used for data collection of rural
community women, using FGD and Perception Scoring Scale, the other was used for
collecting data from the VAW actors of that area through In-depth Interview (IDI).
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Quantitative data was collected using three sets of Semi Structured Questionnaire through
one to one interview. Among those, two were used for the assessment of organizational
capacity to address the issues of VAW. The 3rd one was used for collecting data from grassroot community women.
1.4.2 Selection of study areas and respondents:
Multistage
random
sampling
(purposive) approach was followed for
Stydy Area: 6 Districts under Dhaka Division
(April, 2009)
the study.
The
working
participating
districts
NGOs
of
the
were
six
covered
under the study.
TANGAIL
KIS HOREGANJ
Given
the
time
and
resource
NARSINGDI
N
constraints, selective Upazials and
NARAYANGANJ
Unions from the respective districts
SHARIATPUR
Study Districts
were brought under the coverage of
GOP ALGANJ
GOPALGANJ
KISHOREGANJ
NARAYANGANJ
NARSINGDI
SHARIATPUR
TANGAIL
the study using purposive sampling.
10000000
Name of the Organization
District
0
Upazila
10000000 20000000 Kilometers
Unions
Jagorani Sangastha (JS)
Gopalganj
Kotalipara
Radhaganj & Kandi
Bandhan Society
Kishorganj
Sadar
Latibabad & Rashidabad
Gram Bikash Shohayak Sangstha (GBSS)
Norshingdi
Polash
Danga & Jenardi
Manob Progati Sangho (MPS)
Tangail
Sadar
Enayetpur & Korotia
SHAREE
Narayanganj
Sadar
Tanbazar & Gonoktuli City-colony
Naria Unnayan Samity (NUSA)
Shariatpur
Naria
Bhumkhara & Kederpur
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Criteria
Unit
Number
District
(1 from selected project area)
6
Upazila
(1 from each selected District)
6
Unions
(2 from each selected Upazila)
12
NGO staff
(5 from each project )
30
Actors on VAW
(5 from each project area)
30
(5 from each project area)
30
(50 from each project area)
300
(Doctors, Advocate, Journalists, Police officials, Upzilla level GoB
Officials, UP Chairmen, Representatives of the women
organizations & Women UP members)
Local Elites
(Non-elected elites, Women teachers
Group Member
(Community female, male, Ethnic/ Disable groups)
TOTAL
390
The participants and respondents for FGDs and in-depth interviews were selected from
among the local actors on VAW, local elites and community members with ensured
representation of female and male. The table below shows the area coverage and
respondent coverage of the study. The geographic area and respondent was selected with
the participation of PNGOs. Total respondent was 330 and each NGO covered 55
respondents. The table below shows in details about the sampling approach of the study.
1.4.3 Study target groups:

Community female

Upzilla level GoB Officials

Community male

UP Chairmen

Ethnic/Disabled groups

Representatives of women led organizations

Doctors

Women UP members

Advocate

Non-elected elites

Journalists

Women teachers

Police officials

NGO representatives
1.5. Limitations of the study:
Due to time constraints the allocation of time for data capturing from the field/study areas
had to be kept short. The staffs of the partner NGOs were involved in the data collection.
Though they were guided by PRIP Trust through orientation, but close supervision directly
by PRIP was not possible.
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Chapter Two: A Brief Description of the Project:
2.1 Basic profile
Reference Number
Duration
Budget
Implementing Agency
Funding Agency
5167.
June 2007 to May 2009.
Euro 20,061 (equivalent to BDT 18,05,500
PRIP TRUST
Women’s World Day of Prayer – German Committee
2.1 Overall objective:
Facilitate Women leadership development process at Grassroots Levels for reducing
Violence against Women (VAW)
2.2 Specific objectives:
Strengthening the Capacities of 6 Women headed Civil Society Organizations of Dhaka
Division, for combating Violence against Women (VAW) through women’s empowerment.
2.3 Expected results:



Increased Institutional sustainability and appropriate use of funds;
Compliance with legal and administrative regulations
Development of viable internal governance for organizational effectiveness
2.4. Targeted beneficiaries:
The direct Beneficiaries of this Project are Six (6) Women Headed Small Civil Society
Organizations of Dhaka division. These NGOs have been selected with the expectation that
the efficiency levels of the performance of these NGOs will be enhanced. The proposed
Project will ultimately benefit the greater community through the targeted beneficiaries of
these Organizations supported by the increased levels of performance. The selected
PNGOs and their area of specialization are given below:
Name of the Organization
 Jagorani Sangastha
 Bandhan Society
 Gram Bikash Shohayak Sangstha
 Manob Progati Sangho (MPS)
 SHAREE
 Noriya Unnayan Shamiti (NUSA)
Study Report on VAW
District
Gopalganj
Kishorganj
Norshingdi
Tangail
Narayanganj
Shoriyatpur
Area of Specialization
Religious Minority
Ultra poor (for legal support)
Disabled people
Victim women
Untouchables (sweeper/Dalits)
River Basin Vulnerable Communities
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Chapter Three: Organizational Capacity of the PNGOs:
3.1 Overall situation of the organizations:
Each of the selected NGO’s has different feature and background, but has a common
thematic approach to ‘Stop Violence Against Women’. Geographically these NGOs are
located at Dhaka Division. The age and capacity of the organizations and their program
coverage varies from each other. These are related to geographic coverage, staff number
etc. The rate of female staff is about 40%. Most of the beneficiaries of the NGOs are women.
The NGOs are presently working with small scale VAW related projects. A significant change
is observed as compared to the baseline situation in respect of the organizational capacities
and program coverage.
Table 1: At a glance Area coverage, VAW related project/activities, staff & beneficiaries:
No. of Staff
Name of
Organization
Year of
Establishment
Total
Beneficiaries
Working
Upazilas
Working
Unions
Working
Villages
VAW
Related
Projects
MPS
1999
7
2
9
1,200
3
6
10
2
NUSA
1979
73
133
206
18,183
6
65
341
2
GBSS
1988
76
133
209
115,700
6
65
341
2
Bandhan
Society
1998
27
21
48
50783
3
24
75
4
SHAREE
1992
231
347
578
93,624
21
74
444
2
JS
1983
9
12
21
1,840
1
12
206
3
Female Male Total
3.2 Existing capacities of the organizations to combat VAW:
One of the main reasons of selecting these organizations for this project was, they were
working on VAW issues and their target beneficiaries are different type of vulnerable women,
with a view that they already have some existing experiences working on combating violence
against women. To assess the capacity of the organizations in dealing with violence against
women issues, information was collected from two sources. One was the management of
the organisation who themselves assessed the capacity of their organisation and another
source was the beneficiaries. To receive a clear overview, the study has also collected
information form the beneficiaries, and other VAW actors in their respective areas.
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The organizational assessment by management covered three boarder aspects. These
included are: Organizational VAW related activities and policy capacity, staff capacity and
network & liaison capacity. A base line survey conducted a year before with same
organizations, which created the scope of comparison about the situation. According to the
baseline survey, most of the NGOs had VAW related activities and policy capacities and
other form of capacities, many of them claimed that either they have accumulated more
capacities or at least they feel that there are still some scope and requirement for further
capacity enhancement.
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Table 2: Organizational Capacity to address VAW: 2008-2009
Sl. Name of the Activities / Tasks
No.
ORGANISATIONS
SHAREE
NUSA
GBSS
MPS
Jagorani Sangastha
2008
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
2008
2009
1 The issue VAW is addressed in
the Mission, Vision of the
Organization
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
2 Have activities /projects for
addressing VAW
Yes
Yes
Yes
Exists but
need more
emphasis
Yes
Exists but
need more
emphasis
Yes
Yes
3 Gender policy in the
organization
Yes
Yes
Exists but
need more
emphasis
Yes
Not Exists
Yes
Not
Exists but
Exists need more
emphasis
4 Addressing the gender issues in
the HR policy
Yes
Yes
Exists but Exists but Exists but
need more need more need more
emphasis emphasis emphasis
Yes
Not
Not Exists Exists but
Exists
need more
emphasis
Score
8
8
6
6
5
7
4
Score: Yes=2, Exists but need more emphasis=1, Not exists =0
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5
2008
2009
Exists but Exists but
need more need more
emphasis emphasis
Bandhan Society
2008
Yes
2009
Exists but
need more
emphasis
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Exists but
need more
emphasis
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
7
7
7
6
3.2.1 Organizational VAW related activities and policy capacity:
The organizational assessment of the organizations gave an in-depth understanding about
the varying capacity of the individual PNGOs. It also gave a basis for comparison of the
present status with the baseline situation.

According to the assessment score (Table 2), SHAREE appears to be the most capable
organization among the six. SHAREE secured the same status in the baseline study.

Bandhan Society, Jagorony Shangstha and GBSS have the second highest score. As
compared to the baseline situation, it is found that the status of Bandhan Society
remained unchanged. The capacity of Jagorony Shangstha and GBSS has improved to
some extent.

The condition of NUSA, in comparison with other organizations, is not at a level of
satisfaction (second last score). NUSA has reviewed their gender policy after baseline
survey. However, according to NUSA, they are yet to incorporate/address gender issues
in the HR policy. They are in need of more projects to address VAW issues.

Though being the least scorer, Manob Progati Sangho (MPS) has slightly improved its
position from the baseline situation. MPS developed gender policy after baseline survey.
They need to address gender issues in their HR policy.
Table 3: Current Projects of PNGOs to combat VAW
SHAREE
1.Increase
Responsivenes
s Urban
Governance
Promote and
Protect Women
Human Rights
and Increase
Participation of
Women in
Decision
Making Process
NUSA
1.
BNWLA
GBSS
1. VAW and
Disability
2. WDP-VAW
2. WDP-VAW
Study Report on VAW
2.WDP-VAW
Jagorani
Sangastha
MPS
1. Direct Legal
Aid
(Networking,
Salish &
Movement)
1.
Women In
Developme
nt
2.
Empowerm
ent of
women
Project
2.WDP-VAW
3.
WDP-VAW
Bandhan
Society
1.Combating
Domestic
Violence
Against Women
2.Legal
Awareness and
Legal Aid
3.Gender and
Social Jjustice
4.WDP-VAW
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3.2.2 Staff capacity of PNGOs:
The study assessed the staff capacity of the PNGOs in the context of dealing with VAW
issues. Some selective indicators have been chosen to assess the staff capacity to work with
VAW issues; the same indicators were used during the baseline survey. The study also
looked in to the results of the 4 technical trainings provided to the PNGO staff members
under this project. All most all PNGOs mentioned that their staffs have clear concept about
VAW issues, and they have adequate trained staff to work on VAW issues. This is absolutely
a direct effect of the trainings, which were provided by PRIP Trust through the support of the
project. However, they have mentioned that their training units should have better capacity to
organize and deliver training on VAW issues.
Other that Bandhan Society and Jagorani Sangastha, the NGOs reported that their staff are
not skilled for documentation of violence against women issues and dissemination of VAW
related information. 4 PNGOs mentioned that the training on ‘Participatory Monitoring and
Evaluation’ and ‘Planning through Participatory Rural Appraisal’ enhanced their ability to
plan, monitor and evaluate project on VAW. MPS and NUSA think that they need to further
improve their ability in this field.
It is remarkable that all PNGOs made some improvements in their staff capacity from the
baseline situation. Another important observation is that the NGOs with lower capacity made
significant improvement through the intervention by PRIP Trust.
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Table 4: Organizational staff capacity to address VAW: 2008-2009
Sl.
No.
Name of the Activities /
Tasks
ORGANISATIONS
SHAREE
2008
NUSA
2009
2008
GBSS
2009
2008
MPS
2009
2009
2008
2008
2009
Yes
Exists but Yes
need more
emphasis
Yes
2 Adequate and trained staff to Yes
work for VAW issues
Yes
Exists but Yes
need more
emphasis
Exists but Yes
need more
emphasis
3 Capacity of training unit to Exists but Yes
provide training on VAW need more
issues
emphasis
Not Exists Yes
Exists but Exists but Not Exists Not Exists Exists but Exists but Exists but Exists but
need more need more
need more need more need more need more
emphasis emphasis
emphasis emphasis emphasis emphasis
6
Yes
Yes
Yes
Not Exists Exists but Exists but Yes
need more need more
emphasis emphasis
Yes
Yes
Exists but Not Exists Exists but Exists but Exists but Exists but Exists but Exists but Yes
need
need more need more need more need more need more need more
more
emphasis emphasis emphasis emphasis emphasis emphasis
emphasis
5 Ability to Plan, Monitor & Exists but Yes
Evaluate project on VAW
need more
emphasis
Score
Not Exists Exists but Yes
need more
emphasis
2009
Bandhan Society
1 Clear conception on VAW Yes
issues among the staff
members
4 Adequate and skilled staff Not Exists
members present for proper
documentation of VAW issues
and dissemination information
when required
Yes
2008
Jagorani Sangastha
Exists but Exists but Not Exists Yes
need more need more
emphasis emphasis
9
3
8
5
Exists but Exists but Exists but Yes
need more need more need more
emphasis emphasis emphasis
8
2
Score: Yes=2, Exists but need more emphasis=1, Not exists =0
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Yes
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4
6
Yes
Exists but Yes
need more
emphasis
9
8
9
3.2.3 Organizational network and liaison capacity assessment:
Women headed 6 PNGOs are small in size, and working with limited resources. It is
important for them to be more involved with networks, affiliation and make liaison with govt.
and non-govt. agencies. Five indicators were chosen to examine the organizations’
networking and liaising capacity. These are i) Affiliation with network / forum / coalition on
gender issues ii) Affiliation with network / forum / coalition on VAW issues, iii) Liaison or
coordination with the administration, iv) Liaison or coordination with Local Elected Bodies
and v) Provision to provide legal support on VAW.
Among the PNGOs, SHAREE, MPS and NUSA have strong liaison and networking
capacities. Bandhan Society improved their networking and liaison capacity. The status of
GBSS and Jagoroni Shangstha remained unchanged, as compared to the baseline situation.
The Executive Director of Jagoroni Shangstha has recently elected as women Vice
Chairman of Upazila Parishad of Gopalganj Upazila. This is likely to be contributing towards
improving the network and liaison capacities of the organization.
Table 5: Types of Network / Liaison:
SHAREE
1.Steps Towards
Development
2.Ain O Salish Kendra
3.GAD Alliance
4.Dhaka Development
Forum
5.BLAST
6.BNWLA
7. Student Volunteer
NUSA
GBSS
MPS
1. Motharipur
Legal Aid
Association
2. Women’s
Lawyers
Association
3. VAW
Concern
1. Nari Forum
1. Durbar
network
2. National
Women and
Human Rights
Foundation
2. SANGATH
5. CWFD
4.Shishu
Adhiker Forum
3. Action Aid
3. Mohila
Parishad
4. Muslim Aid
2) Social
Volunteer
Forum
5) NNPC
10. Steering
Committee of Govt.
8.CDD
8. SUPRO
2. Ain O
Salish
Kendra
3. Netrokona
SelfSufficient
Sangstha
4.VAW
9. Nari mukti
10. Member of
District Zail
Visit
Study Report on VAW
1. Gender
and
Developmen
t forum
(GDF)
4) VAW
7.CDL
6.ADAB
1) Nari Nirjaton
Protirodh
Committee
3) ASK
9. Durbar network
5.PKSF
Bandhan
Society
6. BLAST
7. Council of
Acid
Throughing
Control
8. Social protective
committee
Jagorani
Sangastha
6) TMC Club
5. Women’s
Lawyers
Association
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Table 6: Network and liaison capacities to address VAW: 2008-2009
Sl. Name of the NGO Activities
No.
/ Tasks
ORGANISATIONS
SHAREE
2008
2009
NUSA
2008
GBSS
2009
2008
MPS
2009
2008
Jagorani Sangastha
2009
2008
2009
Bandhan Society
2008
2009
1
Affiliation with network /
forum / coalition on gender
issues
Yes
Yes
Exists but Yes
need more
emphasis
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Exists but Exists but Yes
need more need more
emphasis emphasis
2
Affiliation with network /
forum / coalition on VAW
issues
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Exists but Exists but Exists but Yes
need more need more need more
emphasis emphasis
emphasis
3
Liaison or coordination with
the administration
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
4
Liaison or coordination with
Local Elected Bodies
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
5
Provision to provide legal
support on VAW
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Exists but Exists but Yes
need more need more
emphasis emphasis
Yes
Not Exists
Not Exists
Exists but Yes
need more
emphasis
Score
10
10
9
10
9
9
10
Score: Yes=2, Exists but need more emphasis=1, Not exists =0
Study Report on VAW
20/47
10
6
6
Yes
8
10
3.2.4 Training programs of PNGOs:
In many cases it is found/observed that some of the employees possess sound knowledge
but don’t have practical experiences. Some have practical sense but not enough knowledge
on law and legal issues. Appropriate training can make them more efficient in utilizing their
knowledge, skills and experiences, towards having better results. Sometimes, the women
employees are required to be more vocal and proactive in protesting violence against
women involving people from different layer in the society. These NGOs, therefore, are
giving greater emphasis in providing training on VAW issues, which are listed in Table 7. All
NGOs have training program both for staff and beneficiaries. The PNGOs, except NUSA and
MPS, have their own training module on gender. SHAREE prepared their module with the
support from Steps Towards Development. As NUSA and MPS don’t have their own module
they use the module of Concern World Wide, Jatio Mohila Sangstha and The Hunger
Project’ respectively.
Table 7: Types of Trainings provided by PNGOs:
SHAREE
NUSA
1.Transparency of
the idea on VAW
1. Gender
Awareness
2.Impact of
Domestic violence
2. Dowry
3.Protection of
VAW at national
election
3. Early
marriage
4. Health &
Education
GBSS
MPS
1. Gender and
human rights (to
the students)
1.Types of work
between man and
women
2. Adolescent
Health Education
(for the students
forum)
2. Training on
Patriarchy
3.Vocational
training.
3.Feminism
4.Relationship
between man and
women.
JS
Bandhan Society
1.Gender and
development.
1. Gender
relation analysis
2. Gender and
Violence
3.Gender rights
2.Human Rights
and Legal Aid
4.Women In
Development
3. Paralegal
training
4. Family law
5.Domestic violence
3.2.5 Ability to plan, monitor & evaluate project on VAW:
All PNGOs except Jagorani Sangastha informed that they involved their beneficiaries while
doing plan for VAW project. They involved the community people to select areas, select
target group and to learn their problems-demands. During the baseline survey, the PNGOs
demanded for developing their monitoring and evaluation system with assistance from PRIP.
Accordingly, PRIP provided two trainings on M&E and Planning through PRA for PNGO
staff. The study findings show that all PNGOs have their own M&E system to monitor their
activities/ projects on VAW related issues. Generally they conducted activity monitoring
assess the implementation status on regular basis. The staff performed the task of M&E
most often, by using their own format but they involve target people to collect information on
VAW, and to learn results of activities, which helps them to take appropriate decisions, and
to work out future strategies.
Study Report on VAW
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Chapter Four: Situation of VAW in Project Area
To have a clear understanding about the situation
of VAW in the project area, that study covered 3
Occupation of CIvil Society Member
Social
w orker
category of population. Information was collected
Teacher
Advocate
from 300 community people (60 were directly
Journalist
interviewed, 240 male and female attended in the
FGD). 30 NGO staffs (field level and senior
Doctor
Businessm
an
Student
Politician
Imam
Farmer
management both) were interviewed. Apart from
this, the study interviewed 60 VAW actors from
civil society from 6 Districts, of whom 67% were
male and 33% female. Including different category
Service
of people has provided the scope to analyze data from various perspectives.
4.1 Conceptual Clarity about VAW:
The understanding level of VAW by community women, VAW actors and NGO staffs and
even by sex varied from one to another. The level of conceptual clarity on violence is not the
same in all organizations. In most cases, it is seen that the senior management has clear
idea about VAW. The field level staffs lacks clarity. The beneficiaries of the organizations do
not perceive the similar understanding of VAW.

SHAREE: The beneficiaries and senior management of SHAREE have clear idea about
VAW. The beneficiaries of SHAREE specially mentioned that, they are tortured by the
addicted male family members.

Jagorani Sangastha: Members of this organisation explained that violence means all
kind of physical and mental torture against women. The staff stated that all form of
mental and physical torture and inhuman attitude, which affect women’s personal and
social life, are considered as VAW.

Bandhan Society: The beneficiaries of Bandhan Society described VAW as physical and
mental torture towards women. The view of staff about VAW is also clear. They
mentioned all physical, mental, economical and sexual torture towards women is VAW.

NUSA: According to the staff of NUSA violence means physical and mental violence
and discrimination from different types of rights; such as dowry, early marriage,
polygamy, divorce and domestic violence. In the FGD the beneficiaries also came out
with a similar perception on VAW.
Study Report on VAW
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
Gram Bikash Shohayak Sangstha: The beneficiaries of Gram Bikash have clear idea
about VAW. Both the staff of the organization and the beneficiaries have similar concept
about violence. According to them both physical and mental torture are violence.

Manob Progati Sangho (MPS): According to the management, violence against women
is all type of discriminative attitude, injustice and mental, physical, social, economical,
family torture. The beneficiaries have identified violence as domestic violence, dowry,
lack of access to resources, rape, acid throwing and trafficking.
4.2 Nature of violence against women:
The study investigated the intensity of women rights violation like sexual harassment,
women and child trafficking, early marriage, dowry, physical torture, polygamy, suicide,
divorce, murder, illegal divorce, eve teasing, rape, acid throwing, temporary marriage (hilla)
and extra marital affairs- in all the six districts. In all the six organization’s, beneficiaries have
stated that violence due to “Dowry” is the most severe problem in their areas. Other
statement also proved that there is a strong dowry-violence link. Some of the violence’s were
not noticed by the male while doing FGD whereas the female respondents mentioned about
polygamy, extra marital affairs, mental torture. Surprisingly none mentioned about suicide,
though it is increasing day by day. In most cases, suicide by women directly relates with
VAW.
Table 8: Incidence of Top Ten Violence:
Type of Violence Against Women
Ranking of VAW by
Community Women
Ranking of VAW by
Civil Society
Ranking of VAW by NGO
Staff
Physical torture
1
1
1
Sexual Harassment
2
11
5
Dowry
3
3
2
Early marriage
4
2
3
Left-off by husband
5
10
Polygamy
6
4
4
Divorce
7
5
6
Illegal Divorce
8
8
Eve teasing
9
9
10
Rape
10
6
8
Women and Child trafficking
11
13
Acid throwing
12
7
7
Extra marital affairs
13
12
11
Hilla marriage
14
14
9
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Several types of violations are being
evident in the six districts under the
Top 10 Violences
Violence
study area.
Physical Torture
(1)
It is evident that physical torture is at the
top of the list of VAW whereas incidence
Sexual
Harassment (2)
Rape (10)
Dowry (3)
of rape is at the bottom of the list.
TOP TEN
VIOLATION
ISSUES
Eve Teasing (9)
During both quantitative and qualitative
survey,
the
community
women
Illegal Divorce
(8)
Early Marriage
(4)
Left-off by
Husband (5)
mentioned that they suffer most due to
physical and mental torture both at
Divorce (7)
Polygamy (6)
home and outside.
4.3 Top ten contributors of women rights violations:
The study made a list of persons by whom women were
tortured. Through FGD and questionnaire survey the
respondents were asked to make a list first, then to rank
the listed persons considering the magnitude of their
negative role in women rights violations.
Respondents in the study area considered “Husband”
as the top most violator of women rights. The others
according to the ranking included “Mother in Law”, other
In-laws, village leaders (Matabbars), police, relatives
and neighbors, local miscreants (Mastans), doctors
journalists and even rickshaw pullers.
In addition to the above list, the respondents also
mentioned the names of political leaders, colleagues,
money lender, bus conductors, passengers, road-side
shopkeepers/hotel staff, advocates, stone traders,
mason, NGO and class mates etc.
Study Report on VAW
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4.4 Underlying causes of VAW:
Respondents mentioned manifold reasons and conditions against each of the violation
issues during the survey. The major causes of violence against women in day-to-day life as
viewed by the community women and PNGO staff have been presented below:
Physical
Torture










Reluctance of other people (friends/relative/neighbor) to be involved in family disputes
Lack of Awareness
Drug addiction
Women are not habituated to protest
Patriarchal mentality of the society
Dowry
Early marriage
Less compromising attitude of man
Drug addiction
Economic dependency of women on men
Sexual
Harassment










Girls and women are not habituated to protest male’s evil approaches
Patriarchal mentality of the society
Lack of proper actions happen against the criminals in area
Being beautiful or young
Getting alone at workplaces or home
Love-trap of bad boys
Traditional social system
Evil notion of male towards girls and women
Joblessness of youths makes them doing evil activities
Less scope of other entertainment males concentrate to women










Every one takes it as a social culture
Bridegroom’s parents consider this event as a money making scope
Unemployment provokes in demanding dowry
Parents think that dowry would increase their draught’s acceptance in the husbands
family
Lack of Education
Bridegroom’s father doesn’t want to spend money for marriage purpose
Negligence to women or less respect
Not knowing the law against dowry
Brides’ family often consider of giving dowry as an issue of prestige
Number of male (bridegroom) is less compared to female (brides)
Early Marriage








Less dowry required at early ages
Parents can not provide security of a growing girl
Poverty of parents influence them for early marriage
Lack of awareness on consequences of early marriage
Lack of Education
More demand at early ages
Increase number of female child
Unable to bear girls educational expenses by the parents
Left-off by
Husband






As for getting married with a man of a different district
For not getting dowry
Insolvency
Extra marital affairs
Suspicious character of wife
Early marriage
Dowry
Study Report on VAW
25/47






Bride’s family doesn’t get justice for being poor
If husband goes out of the area for working for a long time
Bad relation with wife
For not being able to produce a child or boy child
If anyone from husband or wife are mentally retarded or disabled
Addiction of husband to other women
Polygamy











Patriarchal mentality
Greediness for dowry
Bad character of male leads to having marriage one after another
If the first wife gets older
Not having a child from first wife without knowing his own problems
Local pressure as for extra marital affair
Not for being officially and socially punished for 2nd marriage
Wife for not being as per liking
Expecting a boy child
Expecting that wife would work and earn
Lack of intimacy between husband
Divorce













Not being able to meet the demand for dowry
Conflict between husband and wife
Extra marital affairs of husband
For not doing everything according to the instructions of husband
Poverty
Wife for not being as per liking
Being instigated by others
If husband works at a place outside own district and gets married there
Not registering the marriage
For not having a child
For wife’s being sick or ill-character
For quarreling with 2nd wife
For not being able to tolerate torture
Illegal divorce







Illiteracy/ignorance
No judgment of such incidence
Not being able to protest
Fatwa uttered by religious leaders
Demand for money
Victim of conspiracy
Misunderstanding by husband
Eve Teasing






For being beautiful
Lack of punishment for such behavior
Joblessness of youths makes them doing evil activities
Less scope of other entertainment by males and concentrate on women
Lack of education
No restriction of parents towards young boy
Rape










Not being able to protest as poor
Being tempted/pretended
If found alone at workplace/house
Not agreeing to sex-proposal
Threatening through showing power
For not having any judgment
Can manage with the power of having money if punished
For not having the capability of seeking legal action by victims
For not having proper guidance of guardians
Victim are overemphasized
Study Report on VAW
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Extra marital
affairs
Acid Throwing
Women and
child
Trafficking










Affection of boys and girls over the mobile phone
For possessing bad character
Addiction to other women
Husband and wife not staying together at home for long
Not having intimacy between husband and wife
Sickness of Wife
Lack of religious and ethical education
Taking the advantage of simplicity of wife
For free mixing opportunity
Lack of fulfilling sexual need





Refusing love offer
Anger
For not getting dowry
Extra marital affairs
Revenge













Parents selling their Daughters
Greed for money
Negligence of guardians
Husbands sells wife for not getting dowry
Proposing of employment offer
Negligence of law enforcing authority
Trafficking gang not being punished
Pretending/trapping in the name of marriage
Not being married even after passing the age of marriage
Over aged girls some time accept any offer from bad persons for enjoying better life
Lack of education and orientation on trafficking
Sever Poverty
Lack of Knowledge on Law
In Bangladesh, dowry is a major factor for violation against women. The above findings
reveals that It breeds many-fold sufferings for women like mental and physical torture,
polygamy, marriage as money
making business, early marriage,
Effect of Dowry on VAW
divorce. All these types of violence
Physical Torture
associated with the practice of
dowry. Dowry is a ruthless practice
Mental Torture
in Bangladesh. Many frightening
incidents are heard about where
Early Marriage
not only the wife but also the
children and other family members
have fallen victim to inhuman
Deserted by
Husband
Polygamy
Dowry creates many fold
VAW
and its side effects are some how
Marriage is Money
Making Business
Divorce
Unhealthy
Competition
cruelty and torture by the husband
or family members. In such cases, meeting the demand of dowry becomes compulsory to
retain the marriage on the part of the wife and her family. This practice also has created an
Study Report on VAW
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unhealthy competition among the rich families of the society, and as a consequence, the
women and girls of the poverty stricken families are the worst victims. Lack of economic and
self-sufficiency of women is also a major cause of severe violence. The parents are not
aware about the consequences of early marriage. It is also evident that rural people are not
aware about child and women trafficking. It is commonly seen among the girls and women
that they normally don’t protest against any kind of violence they face regularly. Men take
advantage of this accommodative behavior of women and girls. Lack of knowledge on laws
by the different stakeholders is also one of the important underlying causes of violation.
4.5 Position of women in family:
Women suffer the most, because of their secondary citizenship in the family and society.
Most often their rights are ignored by all. From their childhood, women are forced to live in a
culture, which tolerates and permits inhuman treatment to them Family is the first and most
important institution of all values, respect, ethics and morality. If women are not receiving
recognition of their rights by the family, then it is not possible to promote a safe environment
in the society for women ? Family, in our society, is the primary source of VAW. Staring from
birth, a girl child becomes the victim of gender disparity and discrimination in her position in
the family, areas of work, distribution of property rights, livelihood opportunities etc. which
continues through out her different stages of life. The study intended to learn the position of
women in the family by collecting information against some selected indicators.
Position of Women in Family
Not at all
Few
Very good
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
ur
ce
du
s
ca
tio
n/
Tr
ai
ni
ng
In
vo
lv
ei
Fr
n
ee
IG
do
A
m
to
sp
en
d
m
on
Re
ey
ce
W
iv
in
ea
g
rc
tre
lo
at
th
m
es
en
as
t
pe
rr
eq
ui
re
m
en
Sc
t
op
eo
fr
ec
Ca
re
n
at
vi
io
sit
n
ou
tsi
de
of
ho
m
e
es
o
ee
de
d
Sc
op
eo
fE
nt
ro
lo
ve
rr
as
n
Co
oo
ds
Ta
ke
f
Ta
ke
d
ec
isi
on
0%
Study Report on VAW
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4.6 Position of women in society:
It is obviously true that position of women in the family leads to their position in the society.
Society has been traditionally exerting its controlling influence on women through various
economic, social, political, cultural and religious activities, and via ideological ascendancy. It
is generally assumed in our society that men are superior to women, and thus, possess the
exclusive rights to ensure security to women. In many cases, acts of VAW is tolerated,
particularly those occurring in the family or within the residence. Such social practices
degrade women’s already lower position in the society and add to the practice to taking
actions of abuse for granted. For example, spousal abuse, including beating is still not
treated as an offence, moreover, in many cases, overlooked by the society. The position of
women in society were seen by collecting data on whether there are Eve-teasing, Restriction
in mobility, Involvement in social activities, Security, Scope of play role in election,
Involvement in different committees. The chart besides display the same result.
The
table
beside
depicts
condition of women
and
Position of Women in Society
severe
girls
societal
in
Involved in diff.
committees
the
context,
which is almost same
Play role in election
Security
as their position in the
family. It is essential
to
bring
Good
Involvement in social
activities
Modarat
about
Few
Restriction in mobility
changes
present
to
Not at all
the
perspective
Eve-teasing
of women’s status in
0%
our
society.
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
%. of Respondent
Fulfillment of women
rights is the basic condition for the empowerment of women in the society.
Study Report on VAW
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4.7 Mobility of women in study area:
Mobility of women is significant empowerment indicator for Empowerment. The fear of
violence, including harassment, is a permanent constraint on the mobility of women which
limits their access to resources and basic activities. Eveteasing is a hurdle to young
women’s mobility.
Mobility of Women in Study Area
The study found that the women in the study areas
often go to the NGOs, UPs, Govt. agencies, police
stations and hospitals in relation to different needs.
Hospital
15%
The most frequent movement of the women is seen
NGO
41%
Govt.
Agency
22%
with NGOs. As most of them are NGO members, and
they often need to participate in NGO organized
events/programmes/orientations.
A
reasonable
percentage of women go to various government
Police
Station
6%
UP
16%
agencies, Union Parishad and hospitals. Only a few
are found to go to the police stations. It is appreciating
that
the
women
are
going
to
various
govt.
departments and Union Parishads for different purposes.
4.8 Awareness on available support to combat VAW (from FGD):

Manob Progati Sangho (MPS): The beneficiaries of Manob Progati Sangho don’t know
that there is a Government Women Affairs Office which can play role to reduce violence
against women. Role of UP is not strong on the issue and not a single NGO are working
in this study area, on violence issues. They informed that 7/8 women victim received
legal support from MPS.

SHAREE: The findings from the FGDs with male and female beneficiaries of SHAREE
reveals that they are aware about various govt. departments and NGOs (BRAC,
SHAREE) who can provide support service to stop violence against women. They
mentioned that, in their area, community as well as Municipality also plays a role in
dealing with VAW issues.

Gram Bikash: Group member of GBSS informed, that they are not aware about the
services of Govt. Women Affairs Office. As mentioned by them the UP collects
information on VAW and activates the VAW committee. Gram Bikash Shohayak
Study Report on VAW
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Sangstha arranges shalish in the presence of Union Parishad Chairman and members.
BRAC provides technical support in this regard.

Bandhan Society: The beneficiaries of Bandhan Society are aware about the existence
of a Govt. Women Affairs Office, but is not aware about their services. Local elites and
UP members arrange salish whenever on a case basis, but can’t always deal with faire
justice.

Jagorani Sangastha: The male and female group of Jagorani Sangastha are not aware
about the role of Upazila Women Affairs Officer. The salish is conducted by UP
Chairman or members and local elites to deal with cases of violence against women.
Women UP member play active role in this connection. They also stated that Jagorani
Sangastha plays a major role in providing awareness on VAW, training, arranging
shalish in the area.

NUSA: The group members of NUSA are not aware about the Upazila Women Affairs
Officer. The community people are do go to UP Chairman or members for receiving
support when case of violence against women takes place.
4.9 Institutes, which can play important role to combat VAW:
Most of the beneficiaries
Table 9: Institutions to combat VAW, mentioned by respondents
showed
their
satisfaction
activities
of
highest
on
NGOs
the
Institutions
as
NGO
UP (Union Parishad)
Police Station
Ministry of Women & Childrens Affairs
Hospital
Municipality
Educational & Cultural Institution
Political Party
compared to the other
selected
institutions.
Being directly associated
with
NGOs
they
are
satisfied with their present
Score by Community
Women
Score by Civil
Society
81
34
24
13
5
4
120
49
6
37
8
4
27
7
active role. They mentioned UP as the most effective local organization, next to the NGOs,
which significantly contributes in minimizing violence against women. They gave police
station a reasonable score on the basis of their understanding that it has a vital role to play
in reducing VAW.
In the other hand, the civil society representatives firstly mentioned the name of the NGOs
and then the UP as effective role player, in combating VAW. They also mentioned Ministry of
Women & Child Affairs as another important role player as they often come in contact with
Study Report on VAW
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that agency. They also feel that ‘Educational & Cultural institute’ could play a significant role
in reducing VAW. ‘Political Party’ also came in the list of the civil society representatives a
potential role player in combating VAW.
The beneficiaries of SHAREE don’t treat Ministry of Women and Child Affairs as an actor of
combating VAW. MPS and GBSS think that UP is not playing strong enough role in reducing
VAW. All beneficiaries of the PNGOs, except GBSS, believes that ‘Police Station’ could play
Role of Stakeholders to combat VAW
25
20
NGO
UP
Police Station
Ministry of Women & Children Affairs
Hospital
15
10
5
0
Bandhan
GBSS
MPS
NUSA
Openion of NGO Respondent
SHAREE
JS
effective role in reducing violence against women. Services of GoB agencies are still not
known to rural people, NGOs can play a role in making them awareness about different
available govt. services.
In order to create a healthy and human-friendly culture, it is essential to accept an inclusive
approach. Family, educational institutions and all other actors of the society should accept
the humanitarian perspective towards women by developing humanitarian values among the
teen aged and adult people.
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4.10 Knowledge on existing laws to combat VAW:
There are many laws prevailing
across the country in combating
Knowledge of Community Women Regarding Laws
on VAW
violence against women. Acid
attacks act, Family law, Muslim
Rape
Divorce
family law, Dowry prohibition
Suppression of VAW & children act
act are worth mentioning. Most
Acid attacks act
significant findings from the
study was that, 60% community
women
don’t
have
any
knowledge about the existing
Polygamy
Dowry prohibition act
Muslim family law
Child marriage restraint act
0
laws in the country to protect
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
No. of Respondant
women rights. Only 40% have
some idea on this subject. The reasons of not being interested about various laws are
several and among those, failure to apply the law, absence of laws, discriminatory laws,
misuse of laws/abuse of process and many practical obstacle. Personal laws have reenforced age-old patriarchy and hindered women’s enjoyment of equal right under the law.
During data collection the respondents, described their knowledge against the same issue
differently. Actually, as found from their statements, the respondents have been aware of the
general consequences of the incidents, but they did not have specific knowledge in legal
action or punishment.
However, the actual pictures of their level of understanding, as they stated, have been
presented in the chart above. Most of the respondents can explain about women and child
exploitation (VAW) law, law regarding dowry and acid attack. The community people
complain that these laws are not implemented properly, and have many shortcomings.
The civil society actors on VAW
Civil Society Identified Laws to Reform
are found quite aware about the
All existing laws
existing laws. 78% of the civil
Dowry prohibition act
society members are aware
Access to equal property of women
about
the
implementation
complicacy of some of the laws,
28%
22%
18%
Child marriage restraint act
12%
Family Law
Suppression of VAW & Children act
10%
7%
48% among them thinks that
Guerdianship & Inharitage law
5%
these laws are not sufficient to
Poligamy
5%
prohibit violence against women, 20% refrained from giving any opinion.
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4.11 Role of PNGOs to combat violence against women:
The PNGOs have taken different types of initiatives to combat violence in their areas.
SHAREE, NUSA, GBSS and MPS each have two, and Jagorani Sangastha have three, and
Bandhan Society have four project directly on VAW. The mentionable initiatives are rally,
campaign, day observation, court yard discussion, awareness raising program, arranging
salish (legal alternative dispute resolution), legal support, treatment support, education for
women, formation of committee on VAW, provided technical training Union Parishad
members, Provided subjective training for community, counseling, meeting, seminar and
workshop etc. The most common mechanism used for reducing VAW are briefly described
below:4.11.1 Participation in Salish:
As the implementation procedure of court cases are quite lengthy and hazardous, ‘Salish’ is
found to be the most popular medium to tackle with women rights violation issues. Salish is
regarded as a most effective social method for setting disputes which is quite popular in our
society. All most all NGOs have ‘Salish’ program and except SHAREE, all NGOs have role
in the ‘Salish’. Generally they form ‘Salish’ committee, involve UP representatives in salish,
develope their skills by providing training, provide support to arrange salish, and act like a
watch dog to create a pressure to ensure that victims receives fair treatment. The salish
committee consists of 7-10 members selected from NGO staffs, local elites and UP
representatives.
If the problem is minor, in that case the committee tries to solve the
problem mutually with victim & the opponent party. As the
‘Nari Nirjatan Protirodh
Committee’ of Union Parishad is not always found active, the NGO’s try to involve them in
Salish in addition, provide them with technical training to develop their skills in dealing with
VAW related issues. While doing in-depth interview of civil society actor on VAW, 91%
stated that they have salish system in their locality, which is quite effective and popular.
4.11.2 Courtyard discussion and Training:
About 87% beneficiaries stated that they have participated in VAW related meeting or
courtyard discussion, which was organized by the respective NGOs. Beneficiaries of
Bandhan Society informed that they participated training on “Gender” only, but they
discussed about dowry, early marriage and marriage registration, domestic violence,
women’s rights, gender equality and Para legal support in their courtyard meetings. The
targeted women of GBSS said that they had training on Gender, and their topic of meeting
discussions were Domestic violence, Dowry, Early marriage, Gender equality and Para legal
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support. According to the beneficiaries of Jagorani Sangastha they received training on
Domestic violence and Gender. They discuss about Domestic violence, Para legal support,
Early marriage, Women rights, Dowry and Para legal support etc in their meetings.
Beneficiaries of MPS informed that they received training on Development of relationship
between men and women, Family law, Reproductive health and Gender. They also attended
discussion on early marriage, dowry, gender equity, domestic violence and Para legal
support. Beneficiaries of NUSA mentioned that they did not receive any training on gender or
VAW, but they have regular meetings with a common agendas, like dowry, early marriage
domestic violence etc. According to the beneficiaries of SHAREE, only 4 members received
training on VAW, and have courtyard meeting on Gender equality, Dowry, Para legal support
and women rights.
4.11.3 Legal Aid support:
To fulfill the objectives of establishing women’s rights, to prevent VAW and to be more
responsive towards women, it is important to ensure appropriate reformation of current laws,
setting of new laws to address women’s needs. ‘Violence Against Women should be seen as
an obstacle towards the national development. The people of SHAREE’s in their working
areas generally receive legal support, if any domestic violence occurs. SHAREE and GBSS
arrange linkage with Ain-O-Shalish Kendra and BNWLA, for legal support for the victims.
MPS is used to observe the VAW situation through their committees. They file case if any
incidence of VAW takes place, and provides financial support, and other form of support as
per requirement. NUSA directly provides support to the women victims by engaging their
own lawyer and by ensuring support from BNWLA. Jagorani Sangastha provides the similar
support with the help of Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA). Bandhan Society also
provides legal support to their beneficiaries. They have fulltime lawyer to deal with the case,
and provides full financial support for the victims. They often receive financial support from
Ain O Shalish Kendra. Though all PNGOs render legal support for the women victim, but
they have to undertake series of challenges and undergo and struggle due to lengthy
process oriented and uncomfortable legal aid system of the state.
4.11.4 Rally or gathering:
All most all PNGOs informed that they observe International women’s day on 8th March and
other relevant rights related special days by involving community people in their project area.
Beneficiaries of SHAREE informed that they never attended any rally or gathering in protest
of violence against women. Apart from SHAREE, the group members of NUSA, Manob
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Progati Sangho, Jagorani Sangastha, GBSS and Bandhan Society regularly arrange rally,
provide memorandum to DC and participate in gatherings on different related issues such as
women’s day, human rights day etc. GBSS also organizes rally on disabled day. In most of
the cases, the PNGOs are used to organize rally or gathering on any women rights related
issue, and most of the time the community people participate and exchange their
experiences.
4.11.4 Play advocating role with different agencies:
Besides providing their usual support, PNGOs play some additional role by acting like a
mediator. Being situated in that area, PNGOs maintains some communication and
coordination with other potential VAW actors/ agencies. In order to provide all kind of support
to the VAW related cases, sometimes PNGOs face obligation when they fail to provide any
important additional support due to capacity limitations. However, in some cases they can
manage to render support through other related GO and NGOs. The PNGOs collects
information on VAW in the area, sends victims to appropriate places, referre cases for
further support (sending victims to shelter homes etc.), send victims to hospital, inform
journalists, acts like a pressure group for receiving justice in favor of the victim. All PNGOs
reported that they go to Women Affairs Officer of the govt. to seek further support for victims.
The NGOs of this project have strong relationship with Union Parishad. They work with UP in
a supplementary and complementary way through involving them in “Shalish”, collect
information on VAW, provide technical service and acts like a watchdog. They also update
different media, forum, network and other INGO/NGOs at national level by sharing their
information.
4.11.5 Types of support by civil society actor:
Violence against women is a vast issue
and NGOs is not in a position to
accomplish much alone to reduce
VAW. The demand of assistance is
enormous, and there are not any other
alternative
avenues
without
the
Table-10: Services of Civil society to combat VAW
Types of Supports by Civil society Number
Provide awareness on VAW
65%
Legal Aid Support
40%
Rescue victim
12%
Rehabilitation and shelter home
7%
Mental support
5%
coordinated support of GO, NGO and Civil society. The representatives of VAW, actors from
civil society informed that they are also rendering supports to the community to combat
VAW. Mechanism of supports are either preventive (awareness on VAW, rally, camping etc.)
and post incident (legal aid, rehabilitation and moral support to victim etc) in nature.
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Chapter five: Capacity of the grass-root level women:
To understand the capacity of the grass-root level leaders, individual level questionnaire
survey, and FGD has been conducted. Information of this section will explore the current
scenario of the community women of the selected six Organizations of six Districts.
5.1. Socio-economic Profile of Community Women:
5.1.1. Association of community women with NGO:
All most all community women have membership with local NGOs, and majority of them
have 2-3 years of memberships. Generally we know that, all women’s have experience of
violence, irrespective of NGO or non-NGO members but one positive issue was identified
that most of the NGO members at least know about VAW related services of NGOs in that
area. Among GBSS, Jagorani Sangstha, NUSA and Bandhan Society majority of
respondents are general member of the group. Whereas half of the respondents of
SHAREE, are executive committee member of groups. As MPS used to provide support to
the victims, irrespective of membership, they have interviewed 60%, who are not their group
members, but victim of VAW.
A good proportion of respondents also group members of other NGOs. Overall 37%
respondents are group members of two NGOs. The percentage is significant among the
group members of Jagorani Sangastha, Bandhan Society and MPS. They have 50% group
members, who are also involved with other NGOs. The respondent of the study represents
72% from Muslimls and 28% Hindus. Surprisingly only Jagarani Sangastha interviewed 30%
hindu women.
Table 11: Involvement of respondent with NGO’s and their position in groups:Group Position Bandhan
GBSS
Society
Chairman
Member
Vice Chairman
Non Member
Grand Total
Jagorani
Sangtha
MPS
NUSA
SHAREE
Total
10%
80%
10%
50%
50%
100%
100%
12%
77%
2%
10%
100%
100%
10%
90%
100%
40%
100%
100%
100%
60%
100%
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5.1.2 Marital Status of the Respondents:
Table below reveals that majority of respondents 88% are married. The next highest
percentage (8%) are divorced and widow women. Among the respondents found of Bandhan
10%, and MPS 10% unmarried women .
Table 12: Marital status of Community Women:
Marital Status
Unmarried
Married
Divorced
Total Number
Bandhan
10%
90%
10
GBSS
JS
90%
10%
10
100%
10
MPS
10%
50%
40%
10
NUSA
SHAREE
100%
100%
10
10
Total
3%
88%
8%
60
5.1.3 Educational Status of the Respondents:
From this survey we found that most of the surveyed community member have high school
education which is about 45% of respondents read up to 6-10 class (Table-13). The second
largest respondent, 25% found illiterate/who can sign only, Only 3% respondents reported
that they have higher education (HSC and above). The striking findings in Jagorani
Sangastha and Bandhan Society is that, none of the respondents are illiterate. Whereas
majority of respondents of NUSA (60%) and GBSS (60%) are illiterate/ can sign only. If the
community women have some educational qualification it especially helps them to combat
VAW at various levels. Generally, we see education have a positive effect on men’s behavior
and for women not to tolerate it.
Table 13: Educational Status of the Community Women
Education Status
Class 1 to 5
Class 6 to 10
SSC
HSC and above
Illiterate/ Can sign only
Total Number
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Bandhan
Society
30%
50%
GBSS
40%
Jagorani
Sangtha
10%
90%
60%
10
10
MPS
NUSA
20%
40%
20%
30%
10%
20%
10
60%
10
SHAREE
Total
70%
20%
22%
45%
5%
3%
25%
60
20%
10
10%
10
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5.1.4 Occupation of Respondent:
Majority of the respondents 83% are found housewives from this study. Among the working
women, most commonly reported occupation is service, overall 15% respondents are
service holders. Very few women are involved in business or handicrafts work and the
percentage is only 2%. This is one of the important findings that, most of the women are not
self-reliant, and as a consequence they suffer most on from VAW, due to their lack of
economic empowerment.
Table 14: Percentage Distribution of Occupation Type Among the Respondents
Occupation
House Wife
Handy Craft
Service
Total Number
Bandhan
Society
80%
GBSS
90%
Jagorani
Sangtha
100%
20%
10
10%
10
10
MPS
NUSA
SHAREE
Total
80%
10%
10%
10
100%
50%
10
50%
10
83%
2%
15%
10
5.1.5. Average Income of Respondent Family:
The income level of highest percentage of respondent household (HH) 30% falls in to ‘Less
than 2000’ income categories. As 83% respondent women are not involved in income
earning, they have to depend on their husbands or other family members income. Their
income level is minimal. If a large number of women were involved in any types income
generating activities, no doubt they could have contributed to their family income, and their
economic status could have brought significant change.
Table 15: Percentage distribution of Monthly Income Among the respondents Household :
Monthly Income in Taka
Less than 2000
2000- 3000
3001- 5000
5001 - above
Average Income found from
current study (’09)
Average Income found in last
year survey (’08)
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Bandhan
Society
GBSS
Jagorani
Sangtha
MPS
NUSA
20%
20%
SHAREE
Total
10%
30%
60%
40%
50%
60%
23%
20%
40%
30%
20%
10%
20%
14%
40%
60%
10%
40%
40%
10%
20%
4189
6438
3750
4875
5300
2911
4535
4515
2358
6615
4000
4525
2740
4284
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There is variation in the level of income among the households in the six NGOs work areas.
The economic condition of the respondents HH of GBSS, NUSA and MPS is better than that
of Bandhan Society and Jagorani Shangstha.
The
average
Comparision of Average Monthly Income of HH
monthly income
Ave. Income '09
of the household
of SHAREE is
6000
lowest, which is
Last year, during
baseline survey,
the
monthly
income
of
5000
Income in Taka
2911 taka only.
Ave. Income '08
7000
4000
3000
2000
the
1000
household of all
0
Bandhan
GBSS
JS
MPS
NUSA
SHAREE
PNGOs, except
Bandhan Society and Jagoroni Sansgtha, have increased during the project period. The
overall average income also increased from 4284 to 4535 taka. There could be other
reasons, including inflation rate. Economic empowerment is a precondition for establishing
women’s rights. Economic solvency of women may not directly stop violence’s towards
them, but can reduce the sufferings and degree of violence. Generally women’s economic
status can make them more immune to violence, or in a position to resist it. But most of the
researches that women’s employment doesn’t ensure prevention from violence.
5.1.6 Awareness about government support:
Most frustrating findings from the survey was that, the community male and female are not
aware about the government services in their area. While doing FGD with male and female
community people, the below mentioned question were asked to all in order to learn about
the service delivery status of govt. agencies. Among the 6 PNGos, only half of respondent of
Bandhan Society are aware about the existence of Government Women Affairs Officer
(MoWCA), but they never approached to seek any support on VAW related issues. The
reasons they expressed that they do not know the role, function and services of MoWCA.
The 50% who reported to know about MoWCA, most of them are male.
In limited way the respondent from Bandhan have visited Government Women Affairs Officer
to solve their problems. The survey findings indicate that they have good liaison with
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government administration. NGOs can work on this issue by providing awareness to
community about govt services to protect women’s rights. The group members of NUSA and
Bandhan have experience to go to the chairmen for any types of violence against women or
women rights-related issues. Most of the community people irrespective of male and female
reported that they know about the role of Union Parishad (UP) in minimizing violence against
women related problems.
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Chapter Six: Recommendations:
Though some achievements have been made through out the project, still the condition of
women in the project area is not up to the mark. The respondents mentioned the following
indicative factors, which contributes in establishing women friendly climate in the society.
It means they need to see improved scenario in these areas. Therefore, according to their
view, the followings can be considered as the major parameters to measure the status of
women in the society.
6.1 Recommendations from the community women:

Ensuring access to Education for girls

Educating people on moral ethics

Increase public awareness on VAW related issues by NGO and govt.

Ensure rights to property of women by ensuring laws

Review the law on protection of Violence Against Women, and ensure proper
implementation

Ensuring access to legal aid for the victims on emergency basis

Create sensitization against domestic violence against women among village people
through meeting, gathering, drama, folk songs, poster and campaign

Campaign to stop early marriage and divorce by GO & NGO

Ensure participation of both male and female in Salish, and encourage young groups to
stop VAW

Giving priority to the opinions of women in family

Setting up a legal aid center in the locality by GO & NGO

Arrange meeting and training on VAW related issues in all villages by NGO’s

Formation of Violence Against Women committee in each ward

Take initiative to reduce VAW socially

Progressive thinking towards women

Pay importance to the complains brought by the women

Create opportunity for women to earn money

Being sensitive to gender issues

Ensure 100 % marriage registration

Social movement against dowry and early marriage

Reducing social superstition, religious dogma and gender discrimination, through massawareness.
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6.2. Recommendation by the Civil Society representatives:

Ensure education for all without any restriction and age bar

Educate women and provide employment

Increase empowerment of women involving them in income generating activities

Make women aware of their rights

Ensure access to social activities for women

Reform law regarding gender issues and ensure proper implementation

Reduce discrimination between men and women

Arrange seminar and workshop to increase awareness on VAW issues

Change of mindset of the society through campaign (specially through electronic media)

Elimination of all types of discrimination towards women at state level

Govt. and NGOs should take women- friendly programs

Create new opportunities/ avenues/ scopes of work for women

Increasing social awareness and religious values among people

Take effective motivational activities in protecting values for women

Take initiative to address inappropriateness of state laws

Ensure equal access to property for women by constitution

Formation of VAW committee in each wards

Smooth and comfortable system for false case on VAW issues

Ensure fare wage for women by Govt. and NGO

Reduce religious dogma through involving religious leader, Imam, Kazi and Principals of
Madrasa

Increase awareness program for men on VAW issues

Promote positive mentality towards women in home, community and workplace

Adequate funding to work on establishing women rights

Take multiple comprehensive and coordinated steps to increase public awareness by
Govt.

Identify the top major contributor in women rights violation to be pinpointed with much
focus by NGOs
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Chapter Seven: Conclusion
The issue of Violence Against Women (VAW) is increasing alarmingly day by day, but it is
still not considered as a serious issue for all citizens. The issue of inhuman, animalistic and
shameful acts are considered as a serious problem by a particular segment of the society.
Generally, it has become the responsibility of women in the society to fight against VAW,
and providing efforts to bring other fellow citizens in the society, to initiate action to prevent
violence. Women’s rights still has not been recognized as the fundamental and constitutional
rights. In order to combat violence against women, a change in the mindset is crucial. An all
out united effort is required for addressing VAW in collaboration with GO and NGO on urgent
basis.
The Partner NGOs ( PNGO) have taken some initiatives with their limited capacities along
with GO, NGO, and other organizations to combat VAW in their programmatic areas. They
are providing training for awareness building, offering legal support for women victims, and
empowering women to raise their voice through various socio-economic activities. The issue
on VAW was addressed in their mission, vision and objective of the PNGOs. Though some
of the PNGOs did not have any standard Gender Policy and HR Policy before this particular
project was initiated, through this process, the PNGO’s were inspired, and developed
Gender and HR Policies. In the previous year, all the PNGOs strongly felt that they need to
improve their capacities to plan, monitor and evaluate project related on VAW issues from
the current year, most of them enhanced capacities in those particular areas, only NUSA
and MPS requires further improvement. Each PNGO have now adequate skilled staff to deal
with VAW related issues. The finding reveals that, four PNGOs SHAREE, MPS, NUSA and
Bandhan Society have strong affiliation and liaison with Government; dealing with gender
issue, but JS and GBSS requires more effort to build relationship with Govt.
In order to combat VAW, NGOs expanded their activities in different dimension than
previous year in their project areas. The initiatives are
Introducing different Shalish System

Awareness raising, and training

Court yard dialouge

Rally and Day observations

Legal Aid support

Advocacy and Policy.
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In the project areas of 6 PNGOs, about 300 grass-roots Women and Men clearly stated
about the nature of violence’s against women, and they clearly stated, Physical torture,
Sexual harassment, and Dowry are the most intensive violence. Moreover, the community
people identified top 10 aggressive actors of VAW, where they stated, ‘Husband’ as top most
actors of Violence Against Women. The study also identified the underlying causes of VAW
from community people, and civil society. They made some recommendations to combat
violence against women.
In general, the position of women in the family are not favorable towards promoting women
empowerment. About 50%, or even less women have access to basic minimum food intake,
clothes and medical treatment. Women’s mobility remained restricted within NGO’s, and
limited within Govt agencies and
Union Parishad (UP), as most of them are closely
associated with NGO’s. Both the community people, and civil society ranked NGOs, UPs
and Govt. agencies as the potential institutions, who are in a position to play important role
to combat VAW. Among the grassroots women, majority of them are not aware about the
existence and role of Ministry of Women and Childrens Affairs.
The opinions, of the civil society representatives of selected 6 districts were found significant
about the impact of PNGOs on reducing VAW in those particular geographical areas. The
civil society representatives of 6 Districts of project areas were found quite aware about the
programs/ activities taken by PNGOS in order to reduce VAW in the locality. According to
the opinion of surveyed civil society members, two major impacts of these PNGOs activities
were observed in the locality in reducing VAW, 33% stated that the acceptance of the
PNGOs has increased, compared from the previous context , and 42% informed that both
PNGO and the Beneficiaries gained confidence in dealing with VAW as a separate issue.
About 87% beneficiaries stated that they have actively participated in VAW related meetings
or trainings. Around half (49%) of the group members have reported that they participated in
various campaigns, meetings by demanding women rights and to combat violence against
women. More than 80% women are aware about the local “Shalish System” of NGOs and
UPs. All above findings indicates that, these 6- PNGO’s have played a vital role in their
operational areas to combat violence against women, during the project period.
From the overall findings, it reveals that, the women are found more deprived of being first,
as “women” and second, as “poorest of the poor” (according to the study of Dr. Abul Barkat
titled ‘Economic empowerment in Bangladesh: Should incorporate in National Human
Development Plan, 2008)’. Dr Abul Barkat stated that, there are 6 crore 20 lacs poor women
(who are 85% among total) in the country, and this particular section of the population
demands “alternative” by the Govt and the NGO’s on most priority basis , His study revels
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that, there are no alternative of long term program on awareness for Women’s rights. As the
study reveals that those women who had gone through a awareness building process on
women rights for last 10 years, are far more aware on “Rights based Issues”, active in
establishing human and women rights, achieved their rights to some extent, and as a
consequence their socio-economic status has improved compared to the section of women
who were deprived from receiving awareness program.
Women receive minimal support from family members and from society, when they
experience violence, because if they protest, they loose their family support including
shelter, and all related security. The study also reveals that they are not aware about Govt.
Services, or they consciously avoid, because of the lengthy process. and as an alternative
they seek assistance from the NGOs mostly. The existing power structure is not in favor of
“victim women”, because most often, women are victimized by the elite or powerful men from
the society. In order to minimize Violence Against Women, NGOs have to work more
intensively on this particular issue, by taking “Violence Against Women” as a cross cutting
theme, with a social and political commitment, with the community itself, and government in
particular. Highest effort required for coordinated effort between government and NGOs.
Based on the study, few issues are urgently required to address:

Ensure secondary education for girls

Comprehensive awareness raising program on Women’s Rights,

Formulate appropriate Laws on Domestic Violence, and ensure effective
implementation

A comprehensive action plan to reduce VAW, and incorporate in national budget for
effective implementation

Formulate Laws to stop Eve-teasing by keeping provision for strict punishment.

Ensure prompt justice and settlement of cases related to VAW

Initiate a social Safety Net Program for women by the Govt.

Punishment of the violator

Coordinated initiative to reduce poverty of women, at large, by Govt., Civil Society,
NGOs inclusive various development players.
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References:
1. Baseline Survey report on Facilitate Women leadership development process at
Grassroots Levels for reducing violence against women (VAW) by Shahana Rahman
2. Baseline Survey for Legal Project by PROMT
3. Violence against Women and Girls: assessing the legal framework by Barrister Sara
Hossain
4. ‘Dharshan Chittra’ by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad
5. ‘Unnayan Padakhep’ and ‘New Steps’ by Steps Towards Development
6. Expert Group Meeting ,11-14 April 2005,Division for the advancement of women
7. ‘Economic empowerment in Bangladesh: Should incorporate in National Human
Development Plan, 2008, Dr. Abul Barkat
ANNEXURE:

Aneex-1: Study Operation Plan

Annex-2: Tool-package

Annex-3:
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