This article examines the negotiating power of family planning clients on sexual matters and prevalence of sexual and gender violence in Bangladesh. Data was collected through focus group discussions and household survey of 199 women. Although the topic of enquiry was very sensitive, more than half (55 percent) of the women answered that they refused sex to their husbands because they did not want it at that time. Approximately 47 percent of women said that their husbands accepted it without showing any resentment. In the rest cases, the women faced one or other types of violence/unhappy reaction – from frequent physical violence to occasional forced sex. The study revealed significantly high prevalence of domestic violence. The nature of violence ranged from simple scolding to sever beating or forced sex. All these indicate the continued subordinate position of women within the family structure that has strong negative impact on their health.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Violence, Sex
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.