Domestic violence against women is associated with lower household food security in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

PurposeThis research was intended to examine whether there is a relationship between household food security and domestic violence among households in rural Bangladesh.MethodsThe study uses data collected from the USAID/FANTA funded 2001–2003 Bangladesh Food Insecurity Measurement and Validation Study conducted by Tufts University. The study measured both physical and psychological abuse of women by their husbands using scales developed from the data. Household food security was measured using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale developed for Bangladesh. Logistic regression was performed, controlling for religion, food security status, age, decision‐making input of the female, women's status relative to their husbands, participation in microcredit or labor force, and number of sons in the household.ResultsThe large majority of female respondents experienced psychological abuse and about half of women reported physical abuse from their husbands in the past year. Older husbands were less likely to be abusive, and the number of sons was inversely related to the likelihood of abuse. Women's decision making power was positively associated with abuse. Both physical and psychological abuse were more likely to occur in households with lower food security status.