According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word "violence" originates from the Latin term "Vialatia," which literally means force, oppression, or assault. Violence against women is not limited to physical abuse—it encompasses all forms of exploitation, discrimination, and oppression.

As defined by Article 1 of the 1993 United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women:

"Violence against women includes any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life."

Bangladeshi feminist Zarina Rahman Khan echoes this sentiment, stating that violence against women includes not only physical abuse but also any form of exploitation and oppression.

Social Causes Behind Women’s Subjugation in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi society places women in subordinate roles across multiple dimensions. Some key areas are:

1. Legal Inequality

In a patriarchal society, laws are often created to benefit men. For instance, under Muslim family law, a woman is entitled to a portion of her dowry during marriage, with the rest payable upon divorce. However, in most cases, the promised amount is never fully paid. The practice of dowry itself persists as a form of financial oppression.

Moreover, women inherit only half of what their male counterparts receive from a father's property. In Hindu law, women are often entirely excluded from inheriting the property of their father or husband. Divorce laws also disproportionately favor men, giving them greater freedom and fewer social repercussions.

2. Social Status

Women—especially in rural areas—are often looked down upon. In some communities, if a woman works at an NGO or office, she may face significant social resistance or even harassment, simply for stepping outside traditional gender roles.

3. Education

Educational disparity highlights women’s subordinate position. According to a UNICEF report from 1999, Bangladesh had a literacy rate of 52%, with only 24% of women being literate. There is a prevailing belief that educating girls is only necessary to make them eligible for marriage, not for personal or professional development. This mindset hinders female advancement in both education and employment.

4. Health and Nutrition

Due to the belief that girls are less intelligent or capable than boys, they are often confined to household duties from a young age. After a day of hard work, women typically eat the leftovers of what the men in the family have already consumed. As a result, they receive inadequate nutrition, and healthcare awareness among women remains low.

5. Economic Disparity

Although women often work more than men, especially in household chores, this labor has no economic recognition. Women's participation in the formal workforce is also significantly lower, leaving them economically dependent and vulnerable.

6. Wage Discrimination

Even in physically demanding jobs like road or building construction, women are paid less than men for the same work. This wage gap is a glaring example of gender-based economic injustice.

7. Underrepresentation in Administration

Due to lower rates of higher education among women, few of them have the opportunity to enter administrative roles. Even those who do are often sidelined due to gender bias and systemic barriers.

8. Political Participation

Despite a few women holding prominent political positions, this does not reflect broader female inclusion in politics. Cultural restrictions, family responsibilities, and security concerns keep most women away from active political involvement.

Final Thoughts

Violence and discrimination against women in Bangladesh are deeply rooted in legal, social, and cultural norms. Addressing this issue requires comprehensive reform in laws, education, healthcare, and societal attitudes. Empowering women is not just a matter of justice—it's essential for the development of the nation as a whole.