Women's Empowerment as a Protective Factor Against Intimate Partner Violence in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Exploration of the Process and Limitations of Its Influence. (August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schuler, Sidney Ruth; Lenzi, Rachel; Badal, Shamsul Huda; Bates, Lisa M.
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 23:Number 9(2017)
• Page Start: 1100
• Page End: 1121
• Publication Date: 2017-08
• Subjects: empowerment of women -- gender -- intimate partner violence; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801216654576
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Literature on the relationship between intimate partner violence (IPV) against women and women's empowerment is contradictory. Findings from a recent survey in rural Bangladesh suggest that empowerment is becoming protective even though IPV rates remain high. We construct qualitative case studies exploring factors and social processes underlying relationships between empowerment and IPV in four villages. Empowerment may be protective against IPV in the aggregate, but this relationship can be subverted at the micro level. Interventions are needed to reinforce the potential of empowerment to reduce IPV and counteract factors such as geographic isolation and limited employment opportunities that inhibit empowerment.