Magnitude and correlates of intimate partner violence against female garment workers from selected factories in Bangladesh

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a huge public health, development and human rights issue worldwide. Despite the fact that working women in patriarchal contexts commonly report higher level of IPV, literature on this subject is still scanty. This paper assessed the magnitude of different types of IPV against female garment workers and identified its correlates using cross-sectional survey data collected during September-December, 2016 from 800 female garment workers randomly selected from lists provided by eight garment factories in and around Dhaka, Bangladesh. The results reveal high levels of IPV experienced by the workers (physical = 34%; sexual = 43%; economic = 35%, last 12 months). Logistic regression results were nuanced. While the worker’s ability to mobilize resources in crises reduced IPV, her savings beyond a threshold increased its likelihood. Moreover, her ownership of jewellery/ large household assets increased the likelihood of IPV. Having moderately or highly controlling husband, substance abuse by husband and his involvement in extramarital sex predicted IPV. Although the worker’s education up to 6 years or more was protective, education more than the husband increased the likelihood of IPV. Young age, having two or more children, experience of non-partner sexual violence and high acceptance of IPV increased the likelihood of IPV. Middle income group protected against IPV, while household food insecurity increased its likelihood. Work at a factory in the Export Processing Zone protected against IPV. The findings indicate that financial empowerment alone is not sufficient to protect the workers from IPV; interventions that combine gender empowerment training for workers in the context of better factory working conditions may be useful in reducing IPV; working with men is essential in this endeavour.

Learnings from the evaluation of HERrespect: a factory-based intervention to prevent intimate partner and workplace violence against female garment workers in Bangladesh

“…First, women were not paid well and worked long hours, and many experienced forms of coercion and economic control from factories. One-fifth (21%), for instance, did not have a letter of appointment, and many experienced factory managers controlling their earnings [ 8 , 21 ]. Second, some female garment workers do not retain control of their earnings.…”

“…Second, some female garment workers do not retain control of their earnings. The earnings were either forcefully taken by the husband or handed over by the workers to their husband or mother-in-law [ 8 , 21 ]. As such, a key pathway through which violence could change, was not in operation.…”

Prevalence of Maternal Postpartum Depression, Health-Seeking Behavior and Out of Pocket Payment for Physical Illness and Cost Coping Mechanism of the Poor Families in Bangladesh: A Rural Community-Based Study

“…We modified this instrument to use in our study. The tools were previously used in Bangladeshi settings [31]. Mothers and children's height and weight were measured following WHO standards.…”

Utilization of maternal healthcare services in women experiencing spousal violence in Pakistan: A comparative analysis of 2012-13 and 2017-18 Pakistan Demographic Health Surveys

“…The global prevalence of spousal violence is reported through multi-country study lie in range of 23-30% [8]. Review of statistics on prevalence of spousal violence from Pakistan [9] and other developing countries [10,11] have shown that even larger percentage (34-43%) of women experienced physical, psychological and sexual forms of violence in their everyday lives.…”