SPOUSAL VIOLENCE AND AUTONOMY STATUS AMONG MARRIED EMPLOYED WOMEN: A STUDY IN NORTH-WESTERN REGION OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The present study used various statistical tools to measure the prevalence and associated factors of spousal violence and also to examine women's autonomy and decision-making power among married employed women in North-Western region of Bangladesh. The study was conducted in the two selected districts of the region viz., Dinajpur and Thakurgaon, where, 150 married employed women were selected using random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire used to collect a bulk of socio-demographic & economic characteristics and information regarding spousal violence & women's autonomy in decision-making within their household. The study found that about 42.0% women had non-abusive relationship with their husband and 58.0% women were victim of spousal violence. Among the violent women 48.0% women were moderately abused and 10.0% women were seriously abused. According to pattern of violence, about 41% women experienced physical violence, 68.0% experienced sexual violence and 63% experienced psychological violence. The study also found that mainly age of respondent, education level of respondent, occupation of respondent, respondent's monthly income, age of husband, education level of husband, husband's monthly income, total monthly family expenditure and land size of household were significantly associated with spousal violence. Physical violence increased with the increase of age of respondent, marital duration & age of husband and decreased when the age at the time of present marriage and total monthly family expenditure increases. Sexual violence decreased when the age of respondent and age of husband increases. And also psychological violence increased with the increase of marital duration & age of husband and decreased when the age at the time of present marriage,

respondent's monthly income, husband's monthly income, and total monthly family expenditure increases. Again the study results showed that overall 25% of the women were participated in all the three areas of decision-making, 37% in two areas of decision-making, and 26.0% participated in at least one of the three areas of decision-making (i.e. freedom of movement, or decision-making regarding children, or HH task and decision). About 46.0% women had autonomy to make decision about their movement, 67% women had autonomy to make decision regarding children and 63% women had autonomy to make decision about household task and decision. Also the study results showed that mainly age of respondent, occupation of respondent, respondent's monthly income, age of husband, occupation of husband, husband's monthly family expenditure from own income and total monthly family expenditure were significantly associated with women's autonomy in decision-making Autonomy of movement of married employed women increased with the increase of husband's monthly income and total monthly family expenditure. Autonomy of decision-making regarding children increased when respondent's monthly income increases. And also autonomy of decision-making regarding HH task and decision increased when the age of respondent increases. To raise awareness among community members/family members that violence against women (VAW) is an extreme violation of women's human rights, is a criminal offense under the law, and also has bad consequences on the immediate family, employment and future generations. Educational and religious institutes are an ideal place where awareness of violence in relationships can be built and healthy ways of forming intimate relationships can be taught to challenge violence against women.