Domestic violence surge due to legal gaps

Mahmuda Begum Sinthia :

Bangladesh has been experiencing high rates of gender-based violence between 2024 to 2025 despite of existing legal frameworks, which repeatedly failed to ensure justice to victims.

According to the recent study of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) existing laws for protecting female community against all abusive violence goes in vain due to unprocessed law structure, enforcement gaps, vague legal provisions, and systemic biased roadmaps.

According to the 2024 Violence against Women Survey conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in collaboration with UNFPA, female community in Bangladesh has experienced at least one form of lifemate violence in their lifetime, including behavioural and action related deadly abuses and turmoiling violence. This pervasive violence is compounded by systemic issues within the legal system that repeatedly fail survivors seeking justice.

Despite Bangladesh having laws such as the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act (2000) and the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act (2010), enforcement remains weak. Law enforcement officials often exhibit gender bias, lack sensitivity, and treat domestic violence as a private family matter, resulting in widespread impunity for perpetrators.

Investigations are frequently delayed or improperly conducted, evidence is mishandled, and victims face revictimization through social stigma and community pressure.