A large number of women (40%) were found to be silent after experiencing oppression related to dowry. In a review of the achievements of the decade, the conference identified “The Nairobi Forward Loolung Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the Year 2000 (NFLS).
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Violence against women during the thaw life cycle arises mainly from cultural patterns, in particular the harmful effects of certain traditional or customary practices and any acts of extremism linked to race, gender, language or religion, which reduce the lower status accorded to women in the family is granted and maintained. the workplaces, the community and society. Media images, especially those depicting rape or sexual slavery, as well as the use of women and girls as sex objects, including pornography, are [actors that contribute to the continued prevalence of such violence, and in particular undermine unity in generally have a negative impact. children and young people.
Violence against Women in Bangladesh Perspective
So, the most pressing issue that the nation is currently facing and which is seriously threatening the social fabric of the nation is violence against women in the country. Statistics on violence against women for one year in 1995 provided by the Bangladesh Manabadhikar Somonnoy Parishad paint a clear *picture.
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PLATFORM FOR ACTION
The table above shows that during the period July-September 1993, most of the cases of violence pertain to suicide and dowry issues.
NATIONAL ACTION PLAN
Coordinated efforts from all actors with a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach are required for effective implementation and monitoring of the NAP.
STRATEGIES
The NAP envisages strengthening the MOWCA as well as other components of the National Mechanism for Women's Development, viz. Following are some of the legal measures taken by the government to prevent violence against women.
DOWRY AND DOWRY RELATED PROBLEMS
DOWRY DEArTkIS
DOWRY IN TIIE LIGHT OF ISLAMIC LAW
I endure pain, humiliation and frustration for hundreds of woriletl and live with dowry-related oppression. Today, among the various forms of violence against women, dowry-related violence is the biggest concern in Bangladesh. The dowiy system, although not supported by the main religion of the country (Islam), has grown into a social practice due to cultural and socio-economic factors.
And now due to the economic realities associated with the system, existing marriage practices do little to combat dowry-related violence in society. Extensive research should be undertaken to generate data and information in order to prevent dowry-related violence. It attempts to shed some light on the extent, scope and mechanism of dowry-related violence in Bangladesh.
Therefore, this study on "Vornen in Development and Beijing Declaration: Doth Related Violence Against Women in the Rural and Urban Areas of Bangladesh" is a small attempt to know more about dowry related violence. This &udy will seek to provide more data on dowry-related violence that could help design programs to combat such violence and assist national strategies. Bangladesh Public Administration Training Center (BPATC) is the premier public administration and development management training institute in Bangladesh.
OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The objectives of the study are
Moreover, this could also generate more interest in this burning issue and serve as a starting point for further research in this area. As such, the findings of this report will create future opportunities for the Center to disseminate the issues to policy makers, administrative management practitioners, trainers and researchers of the country. Recommend certain actions in light of the Beijing Declaration's 'Platform of Action' that could help curb dowry-related violence in this country.
SCOPE OF 'TIIE STUDY
METHODOLOGY
RESPONDENTS
DATA COLLECTION AND PROCESSING
LIMITATIONS OF TEIE STUDY
FINDINGS FROM THE EMPIRICAL SURVEY
RESPONSES OF THE FEMALES
Feedback fron~ the female respondents in Savar area(Union Number-1) The majority of the be male respondents (30%) from Savar area ranged
Of them, 36.17% had completed lower secondary school education, while about 30% of them were illiterate. Only about 10% of the sample population had secondary education, while 6.67% had higher secondary education. A large majority (66,670 hours) of respondents in Savar area reported that dowry was given at the time of their marriage, while 33.33% reported that dowry was denied.
Of these, 40% reported the dissolution of the marriage due to non-fulfillment of dowry requirements, 43.33% answered in the negative, and 16.67% refrained from commenting. About 60% of the respondents felt that their laws facilitated the settlement of dowry claims. Therefore, we can assume that the group that refused to comment was also subjected to repression and that they refused for fear of reprisals, or they were.
When asked about their reaction to repression, about 50% reported that they suffered in silence, while 16.67% informed their own farnilies or the local community (sarnaj).
Responses of the females in Dhaka city
When asked about their response to the oppression, about 50% reported that they suffered in silence, while 16.67% informed their parishioners or the local community (sarnaj). about measures against dowry-related oppression, while 26.66% were still ignorant. respondents in Dhaka city, a large majority of them break up due to non-fulfilment of dowry demand, while 40% of them dowry-related marriage break-ups. Most of the sample population in the city of Dtralta reported that money. with no response, the postal shipment was claimed as 13% dowry, followed by other shipments, radio, for details see attachment no.5).
Compared to the Savar area, it appears that the incidence of dowry borrowing was higher (23.33% compared to only 11%) in Dhaka city. About 50% of the sample population were of the opinion that there was oppression due to non-fulfilment of dowry requirements, followed by 33.33%. This percentage was slightly lower than in the Savar area - which showed 56.67% positive responses and 23.33% negative responses.
60% of the respondents answered that marriages broke up because of dowry demands, while 16.67% answered that their marriages were successful because of dowry demands (Figure 10).
RESPONSES OF TIIE MALES
- Responses of the Males from Savar Area
55% of the male respondents in Savar reported that they did not pay in exchange for dowry as long as they are few. The majority of respondents (70%) reported that they were not disappointed by not receiving dowry, 5% answered that they were, while 25% did not answer the question. About 70% of male respondents in Savar answered negatively if they oppressed their wives because of dowry, 10% answered positively and 20%.
90% of respondents said they were aware of government action against dowry-related violations, while only 10% answered in the negative. Most respondents in Dhaka city were illiterate (5O0/0), while 30% had primary education and 20% had lower secondary education. Compared to Savar, where most respondents were from the service sector, it appears that rickshaw drivers in Dhaka had predominance as respondents.
In Dhaka city, 60% of the sample group reported that they had married in exchange for dowry, while 40% answered in the negative. A majority of respondents in Dhaka (55%) expressed their dissatisfaction when they did not receive dowry, while 45% responded negatively. 60% of respondents in Dhaka reported problems in marriages when dowry was not given and 40% answered negatively.
Moreover, the actual scenario of our society as depicted by the statistics of the empirical survey of this study on the prevalence of dowry and dowry-related violence is not contrary to our good intentions regarding nearly fifty percent of our population. To support h's information, even some of the male respondents admitted to oppressing their wives for dowry. This was probably due to the fact that most of the respondents were illiterate and unemployed in the city.
Surprisingly, on average, 40% of women were found to be silent after dowry-related oppression. In fact, the essence of the Beijing Declaration on ensuring women's rights in the case of Bangladesh has remained rhetoric. If that is the case, what is the point of the government reaffirming the declared 'Platform of Action' of the Beijing Declaration on Women's Development if it cannot be properly implemented?
At this point, let us summarize some of the objectives of the Government of Bangladesh's 'National Action Plan', which aimed to implement the Beijing Declaration's 'Platform of Action'. These groups remain untouched by the objectives of the 'National Action Plan', not to mention the lofty ideals of international forums on women's development. In view of the prevalence of dowry practices, as shown in our study, the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1980 has not utterly failed in its objectives.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Needless to say, a cursory look at the results of our empirical research shows that none of the above objectives have made any significant impact on the status of women in our society, especially the lower income groups. Indeed, the harsh reality differs from the rhetoric of the international forums and national actions taken in the light of these international objectives. As the results of this study show, the Beijing Declaration has yet to have a tangible impact on the plight of women in Bangladesh, especially in terms of dowry-related violence.
In addition, law enforcement institutions/personnel must be held accountable for their activities on violence against women and dowry-related crimes. Create or strengthen institutional mechanisms so that women and girls can report acts of violence against them in a safe and confidential environment. Support the initiatives of NGOs and various women's organizations to raise awareness of issues of violence against women and contribute to its elimination.
Disseminate information about the help available to women and families who are victims of dowry violence. Promote and protect women's human rights through full implementation of all human rights instruments, in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Last but not least, the male population must be made aware of women's rights and their attitudes must be changed to enable women to become equal and complementary partners in development.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
