Average medical expense for abused women Tk 2,512

Violence against women remains a widespread and deeply rooted issue in Bangladesh, with nearly 70 percent of women experiencing abuse at least once from their husbands, partners, or other men. According to the recently released “Violence against Women Survey 2024,” jointly conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and UNFPA Bangladesh, the average medical expense borne by abused women is Tk 2,512, while the average cost for legal steps is Tk 4,104.

The study revealed that rural women face higher medical expenses, averaging Tk 2,672, compared to Tk 2,394 for women in urban areas. Legal costs are also higher in urban settings, averaging Tk 4,341 versus Tk 3,680 in rural areas. The survey, which included responses from 27,476 women aged 15 and above from various regions, including slums and disaster-prone areas, aims to provide insight into the scope and consequences of violence against women.

The survey marks the third of its kind, following earlier editions in 2011 and 2015. While there has been some reduction over the years, the problem remains extensive. In 2024, 70 percent of women reported experiencing some form of violence from a partner or spouse in their lifetime. Including context-specific behaviors like controlling and emotional abuse, the rate jumps to 76 percent. Around 41 percent of women faced violence in the past year alone.

A large proportion of victims remain silent. The report noted that 64 percent of abused women do not speak up, primarily to protect family reputation, out of fear for their children’s future, or because they view such abuse as normal. Only seven percent pursue legal action, and more than half (51 percent) don’t even know where or how to lodge a complaint.

Several real-life cases illustrate the harsh reality. A young woman from Sirajganj was hospitalized for two days after being violently assaulted by her husband over dowry issues. Another woman from Jashore said she filed a dowry-related case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, spending nearly Tk 20,000 to keep it running.

Many victims avoid legal recourse due to stigma, financial pressure, and fear of public shame. A woman in Dhaka shared how her partner promised marriage, then secretly married another woman. When she confronted him, she was beaten and thrown out of the house.

Even when cases are filed, justice is rare. An earlier investigation by Prothom Alo found that out of 7,864 cases in five women and children repression tribunals in Dhaka between 2002 and 2016, 97 percent of the accused were acquitted or had charges dropped.

Experts say the cost of violence extends beyond physical harm. Mahin Sultan, a senior fellow at BRAC Institute of Governance and Development and a member of the National Commission on Women, noted that abused women often undergo repeated medical treatments and court visits, incurring significant expenses. She stressed the need for stronger social resistance, more responsive legal mechanisms, and support for victims to escape abusive environments.

The BBS says the objective of this latest survey is to deepen understanding of the nature and extent of violence against women in Bangladesh, helping guide more effective policy responses in the future.