A recent video involving the country manager of a multinational garment firm showed him brutally assaulting his wife in front of their minor child. Despite a 13-year marriage, the woman reportedly faced persistent abuse, which escalated to threats and harassment even after she served a divorce notice. That an educated, affluent father of three could commit such acts highlights not only the severity of domestic violence but also a profound crisis in societal values. Just days earlier, model and actress Snigdha Chowdhury shared details of physical assault at a private hospital in the 300 Feet area of the capital, where she had been lured under the pretext of signing an ad contract. Facing intimidation due to the perpetrator's ties to an influential industrial group, she initially hesitated to seek justice out of fear for her personal and professional future before eventually filing a case with Khilkhet Police Station.
Placing these two incidents side by side exposes a harsh reality: women are secure neither at home nor in workplaces, streets, or public spaces, reflecting a systemic failure across almost every level of society. While violence against women was once mistakenly perceived as a problem limited to lower- and middle-income households, reality proves that educated and affluent families are equally affected. In fact, social status, economic influence, and power often keep such abuses hidden. In another recent case, a victim revealed that her husband attempted to force her into unethical physical relations with another individual. Although she found the courage to speak out, countless similar incidents in high-society circles remain buried due to fear of social stigma, shame, or loss of family prestige, forcing many women to suffer in silence until they break down physically and mentally.
A combination of excessive greed for wealth, rampant drug abuse, erosion of family values, and a lack of mutual respect is driving the rise in violence against women. This trend is exacerbated by a culture of impunity, social instability, unemployment, poverty, the spread of vulgar culture, and misogynistic attitudes. As the fundamental unit of society and the state, the family inevitably reflects broader systemic instability; when violence, hatred, and crime spread unchecked in society, their domestic impact is immediate. Consequently, domestic violence is not merely an internal family matter, but a direct reflection of a overall social and state crisis. Furthermore, drug abuse, psychological instability, gang culture, and the unregulated use of social media have introduced new dimensions of harm, including cyberbullying, harassment, and the creation of fake, offensive images using artificial intelligence.
The horrifying scale of this crisis is corroborated by research showing that 87.07 percent of women in Bangladesh experience some form of abuse by their husbands. Among them, 81.06 percent report emotional abuse, 64.06 percent physical violence, 53.02 percent economic deprivation, and 36.05 percent sexual abuse. Yet, the true picture remains far worse, as countless domestic abuse cases stay hidden behind closed doors due to societal pressure, economic insecurity, or concern for children's futures, often leading to prolonged distress, divorce, or even suicide. These figures underscore that Bangladeshi women remain far removed from a safe and peaceful life, raising fundamental questions about the civility of a society where individuals face constant fear simply because of their gender.
From infants to elderly women, none are immune to the risk of gender-based violence, whether through public harassment, verbal abuse, physical assault, or rape. Ironically, many men involved in such crimes simultaneously take it upon themselves to judge women's attire, movement, and character—a hypocrisy that must end if violence against women is to be curbed. Although Bangladesh enacted the 'Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act' in 2010 alongside launching helpline services like 109, proper implementation remains severely hindered by field-level manpower shortages, budget constraints, and a lack of public legal awareness. Grassroots initiatives, such as those by 'Nagorik Uddyog' to build ward-level female leadership and resolve local disputes, are crucial, especially since many victims seek an end to violence and a safe home environment rather than lengthy legal battles.
Eradicating violence against women requires structural societal shifts alongside legislative measures, including economic empowerment, political will, positive media representation, and increased female participation in policymaking. Respect for women as equal human beings must be taught from within the family unit. While the present government emphasizes its commitment to protecting women and children, as outlined by Minister for Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Prof. Dr. A Z M Zahid Hossain regarding election pledges, education, employment, and anti-drug cultural programs, the responsibility cannot rest on the government alone. Families, educational institutions, workplaces, media, law enforcement, and citizens must all take active responsibility to enforce laws, address the root social causes of crime, and dismantle the culture of treating abuse as a private family matter. Every act of violence challenges our collective humanity, and society can no longer afford to remain a silent spectator.
