B.Mirror Desk : A series of disturbing incidents of violence against women has recently gone viral on social media in Bangladesh, exposing the grim reality of gender-based abuse that continues behind closed doors and, increasingly, in professional settings. The footage is deeply distressing, and no compassionate observer could watch these scenes without a profound sense of outrage. Even more alarming is the fact that much of this violence is taking place where women should feel safest – their own homes.
One widely shared video shows the country manager of a multinational garment company repeatedly and brutally assaulting his wife in front of their young daughter. The footage has shocked the public and raised troubling questions about domestic violence within Bangladesh’s educated and affluent classes. According to the victim, the assault was not an isolated incident but part of a pattern of abuse that had continued throughout their 13-year marriage. Even after seeking a divorce, she reportedly faced continued intimidation, harassment and threats.
Just a day earlier, another high-profile case attracted national attention. Model and actress Snigdha Chowdhury alleged that she had been physically assaulted after being invited to a private hospital in Dhaka’s 300 Feet area under the pretext of signing an advertising contract. She later filed a criminal case with Khilkhet Police Station.
According to her complaint, she was lured to the hospital with the promise of a business agreement only to be physically assaulted. She also alleged that the accused invoked his connections with influential people to intimidate and silence her. As the institution involved was reportedly linked to one of the country’s leading business groups, she initially feared that pursuing legal action would damage both her career and personal life. Nevertheless, she ultimately decided to seek justice through the courts.
Taken together, these incidents reveal a disturbing reality: women in Bangladesh increasingly feel unsafe both at home and at work. Public spaces, roads, educational institutions and workplaces are all failing to guarantee women’s safety. For many women, there is simply no place where they can truly feel secure.
Equally troubling is the changing social profile of gender-based violence. Once commonly associated with lower- or middle-income households, domestic abuse is now increasingly visible among educated, wealthy and socially influential families. In the viral domestic violence case, the victim alleged that her husband attempted to coerce her into an illicit sexual relationship with another man. Her decision to speak publicly required immense courage. Yet countless women facing similar abuse remain silent because of social stigma, financial dependence, family pressure or fear of retaliation. Many endure years of violence to preserve appearances.
Unchecked materialism, widespread substance abuse, declining family values and the erosion of personal accountability all appear to be fuelling violence against women, including among the country’s elite.
The family is society’s most fundamental institution, and it inevitably reflects the wider political and social environment. As hatred, intolerance, violence and polarisation become increasingly normalised in public life, those same attitudes seep into family relationships.
Drug addiction, unemployment, poverty, misogyny, harmful cultural influences and a persistent culture of impunity have all contributed to an environment in which violence is becoming normalised. Domestic abuse is therefore not merely a private family matter but a reflection of deeper structural problems within society.
Another deeply worrying trend is the erosion of empathy and basic human values. Psychological distress appears to be increasing, while drug abuse and gang culture continue to affect many communities. Social media has further complicated family life by amplifying cyberbullying, online harassment, mistrust between partners and the misuse of digital technology.
Women today face not only physical violence but also digital abuse. Artificial intelligence can be exploited to create manipulated intimate images, spread defamatory content and orchestrate online harassment capable of destroying reputations, careers and mental well-being within hours. While technology has created enormous opportunities, it has also opened new avenues for abuse.
Together, these realities paint a bleak picture. The pain, fear and silent suffering of women are becoming increasingly impossible to ignore.
Research indicates that around 87.07% of married women in Bangladesh experience some form of abuse by their husbands. Among them, 81.06% report psychological abuse, 64.06% physical violence, 53.02% economic abuse and 36.05% sexual violence. Much of this remains hidden behind closed doors, leaving victims isolated and without adequate support. The consequences extend far beyond individual families, contributing to marital breakdown, deteriorating mental health and, in some tragic cases, suicide.
These figures demonstrate that countless women continue to live without genuine safety, dignity or peace of mind. No society can claim to be truly civilised while women – from infants to the elderly – remain vulnerable to violence simply because of their gender. They continue to face harassment, assault, sexual violence and public humiliation in everyday life, while perpetrators too often escape meaningful accountability.
Bangladesh enacted the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 to protect survivors. However, implementation remains uneven. Although the law prioritises victim protection, inadequate funding, limited institutional capacity and low public awareness have prevented it from reaching many of those who need it most. Lengthy legal procedures also discourage many survivors from seeking justice. While the government has initiated reforms to strengthen the legislation and the national 109 Helpline remains available, much more needs to be done.
Civil society organisations argue that legislation alone cannot solve the problem. Grassroots initiatives are equally important. Organisations such as Nagorik Uddyog (Citizen’s Initiative) are strengthening women’s leadership at the community level and promoting local mediation mechanisms aimed at ending violence while protecting survivors’ rights. Many victims wish to preserve their families, provided the abuse can be stopped without further victimisation.
Ultimately, violence against women cannot be eliminated through legislation alone. Lasting change requires a profound shift in social attitudes and cultural norms. Women’s economic empowerment, sustained political commitment, responsible media representation, comprehensive education on gender equality and greater female participation in policymaking are all essential to meaningful reform.
According to the government’s stated position, the administration led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman remains committed to combating violence against women. Before taking office, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) pledged several initiatives, including nationwide mechanisms to document incidents and provide legal and medical assistance to survivors. Following the formation of the government, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Professor Dr AZM Zahid Hossain reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to implementing those pledges. The government has also announced measures to expand girls’ education, increase women’s employment opportunities and promote sports and cultural activities as part of broader efforts to combat drug abuse and strengthen social cohesion.
Yet no government, however committed, can end violence against women on its own. Laws can punish offenders, institutions can provide protection and policies can promote equality. But unless society rejects misogyny, refuses to tolerate abuse and stands firmly with survivors, meaningful progress will remain elusive.
Ending violence against women requires more than political promises or legal reform. It demands a collective moral awakening – one that transforms not only institutions but also families, communities and individual attitudes. Until that transformation occurs, the cries of countless women will continue to echo behind closed doors, reminding us that silence is not neutrality. In the face of injustice, silence is complicity.
