Economic dimensions of violence against women: policy interventions needed

Abstract

Violence against women is a common phenomenon in all societies, and in countries where gender inequality persists, such as Bangladesh, this issue is even more pronounced. Violence against any entity often stems from subordination, and it is generally accepted that empowering women can help prevent violence against them. The objective of the study is to unmask how different the role of economic performance of both men and women is impacting types of violence against women. With numerical data from the World Bank and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), we used Pearson correlation and OLS regression to extract the results from the raw data collected. The study finds that male unemployment is positively correlated with violence against women (including domestic violence, dowry-induced violence, and rape), while female unemployment shows an inverse relationship with the severity of violence. The findings emphasize the urgent need for policy interventions to address the underlying factors, effectively mitigate violence against women, inform policymakers and contribute to the development of effective strategies to promote a more equitable society.