Gender Violence in Bangladesh

Maggy Lee

In Bangladesh, there is much evidence to suggest that women and girls are
disproportionately affected by crime and violence. In particular, the problem of
acid-throwing as a result of family and land disputes or dowry demands has been
well-documented. As a result of gender discrimination and their lower socioeconomic status, women have fewer options at their disposal to avoid or escape
abusive situations. Further, they have fewer resources at their disposal to seek
justice. Indeed, international crime victimization surveys have consistently shown
that there is a huge ‘dark figure’ of unreported crime against women around the world.