4,249 women, 456 children endure domestic violence during shutdown

At least 4,249 women and 456 children have been subject to domestic violence in selected 27 districts of Bangladesh during the shutdown, with 1,672 women and 424 children enduring the violence for the first time.

This was disclosed by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) in an online press conference on Wednesday, where Arpita Das, co-coordinator of Violence against Women (VAW) at MJF, presented the findings of their survey.

Of the total 64 districts, women and children of 27 selected districts and 4 city corporations were interviewed over phone by 24 associate organizations of MJF during April.

Of the 17,203 women interviewed, 848 were assaulted physically, 2008 mentally, 85 sexually, and 1,308 financially by their husbands. However, four women were raped, 1 was killed and 20 were sexually assaulted by outsiders, as per the survey. Around 92% children, out of 4,249 interviewed, were tortured by their family members or relatives. 

Of them, 424 were subject to domestic violence, while 33 children were married off.

Shockingly, 10 children were raped while taking relief, and 4 more were raped, 16 were tried to be raped, 2 kidnapped and 10 endured sexual assault, according to the survey.

"It could not be told that family amity was strong. Poverty is also an issue behind violence. But we want to ask why the impact would be upon women," Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), said.

"The married women don't want to share their sexual tortures. They just admitted that they were subject to violence, but they did not tell how," she added. 

When asked if the violence increased, the executive director said, "At the normal time, domestic violence was not reported. So, it couldn't be told if it has increased."