Problem: An estimated 50–60% of women in Bangladesh have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetimes and 30% having experienced such violence in the past year. IPV experience is associated with a 50–60% increase in unwanted pregnancy and over two times higher odds of abortion (AOR = 2.60) in Bangladesh.

Studies assessing IPV among refugee and host country women and girls have documented that refugee women are at significantly higher risk of IPV than other women. Women in refugee camps report that men’s perpetration of violence is directly related to the violence men experience through displacement, and experiences of political violence, in general, are associated with increased likelihood of men’s perpetration of spousal violence. In the uncertain and often dangerous environment of refugee camps, a woman’s ability to manage her reproductive life is crucial to protecting her health and autonomy. There are currently 994,124 Rohingya refugees residing in Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh (source: Joint GoB- UNHCR Population Factsheet Bangladesh, 31st August 2024), most of whom have arrived since 2017, after fleeing religious persecution, ethnic cleansing, and violence in their home country, Myanmar. A qualitative study assessing violence among Rohingya refugees found that IPV was an accepted social norm, and that violence increased after arriving in refugee camps due to lack of male employment and financial pressures. Women were unlikely to report instances of IPV due to stigma, and only sought help in the form of medical treatment in severe cases. Lack of information on available violence support services and inability to access services were also identified as barriers to receiving help.

Overview: Ipas Bangladesh and the Center on Gender Equity and Health at UC San Diego have undertaken three ARCHES adaptations in Bangladesh.