Identifying factors of sexual violence against women and protection of their rights in Bangladesh

Abstract

Sexual violence against women is considered a gender specific human rights violation, and is a form of discrimination that continues women's subordination and patriarchal structures throughout all levels of society. Recognizing the high number of sexual violence against women, there is increasing emphasis on addressing the rights of women in Bangladesh. Following this, the purpose of this paper is to identify the factors of sexual violence against women in Bangladesh. Moreover, the study outlines the barriers of women to access in the current justice system. Finally, the paper demonstrates the social and psychological impact of the victims of sexual violence. To conduct this study, I have reviewed relevant articles, books, statistics, reports and other related literature situated within the framework of my subject. In order to analyze the data, I employed qualitative methods and thematic analysis techniques and I applied a radical feminists' theoretical lens. Among the main findings, the study finds that patriarchal social structure, forced marriage, cultural practice, barriers in access to justice are the main factors of sexual violence in Bangladesh.