Violence against women with chronic maternal disabilities in rural Bangladesh

Ruchira T. Naved, Lauren S. Blum, Sadia Chowdhury, Rasheda Khan, Sayeda Bilkis, Marge Koblinsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explored violence against women with chronic maternal disabilities in rural Bangladesh. During November 2006-July 2008, in-depth interviews were conducted with 17 rural Bangladeshi women suffering from uterine prolapse, stress incontinence, or fistula. Results of interviews showed that exposure to emotional abuse was almost universal, and most women were sexually abused. The common triggers for violence were the inability of the woman to perform household chores and to satisfy her husband's sexual demands. Misconceptions relating to the causes of these disabilities and the inability of the affected women to fulfill gender role expectations fostered stigma. Emotional and sexual violence increased their vulnerability, highlighting the lack of life options outside marriage and silencing most of them into accepting the violence. Initiatives need to be developed to address misperceptions regarding the causes of such disabilities and, in the long-term, create economic opportunities for reducing the dependence of women on marriage and men and transform the society to overcome rigid gender norms.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)181-192
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Volume30
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bangladesh
  • Emotional violence
  • Maternal disabilities
  • Maternal morbidity
  • Sexual violence

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

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