Domestic Abuse and Violence

• What is domestic violence? How it is spreading day by day;
  
• Causes of abuse and violence;
  
• Domestic violence is very common in Bangladesh;
  
• Its impact on children, family and society;
  
• Who are the victims?
  
• What we, as a part of the society, can do for the victims?
  
• Steps to assist the victims from NGO's;
  
• The role of the government;
  
• Conclusion.
  

Introduction: On the 16th December, 1971 an independent state named Bangladesh emerged and it required nine month-long bloody war of liberation. We had to achieve it at the cost of the sacrifice of blood. We became free from the colonial oppression of the Pakistani rule. The worthy sons of our land fought bravely with a view to establishing a corruption fhe society where common people will pass their days in unmixed peace prosperity and happiness. Social equality and solidarity were the destinating for which our sons sacrificed a lot. But that long-cherished dream has not ye come true. Social and economic inequality and instability have divided the society into different sects. The gap between the poor and the rich is being widened day by day. Unemployment, absence of good governance and education policy, different problems existing in education sector, lack of proper democratic practices are the causes that are working behind the socul violence and instability in our country.

Causes of Social violence: There are some causes that directly or indirect work behind this social problem. Different political, economic, culturi phenomena cause social violence and hinder the progress of our society the causes have been discussed below in detail.

First, According to economists, the fact that most of our capital is invested commercial sector. It creates an economic difference in our society. particular group takes advantage out of it. This privileged group explo others at their benefit and makes a good profit. Selfish activities of of business group, which are supported by our politicians, create a lot problem such as price spiral, inflation etc. As a result, the proportion of income price loses its balance. Common people of our country suffer a lot. cannot afford to buy the daily necessaries. Therefore, some become compelled to indulge in anti-social activities such as theft, robber smuggling, murder etc. Thus social violence increases on a massive scale.

Second, at present 5% (2012 est.) of our young people are unemployed 40% of the labour force is under employed. So, they pass their days extreme despondency or disappointment. Because of the corruption existing in our job market, we have to bribe the authority. So, the jobseekers who do not have the required money can not get the job. On the other hand, those who get a job in such an illegal way get corrupt in their service life in order to get back the money they invested in bribery. Consequently, social instability increases.

Third, One of the reasons for social instability is violence against women. Acid throwing, Eve-teasing, sexual harassment, dowry, and other types of violence against women hinder the progress and cause social violence.

Fourth, Our post-liberation martial rule had choked our country for a long time. Professor Abdur Razzak says, "Bangladesh turns to be a playground of imperialism because of the diminution of its support from international community during the military regime."
Fifth, Polarization of politics is one of the main reasons for social violence and instability in our country. Such polarization is prevalent in our politics for a long time. As result, the problems of our country are not properly addressed. So, our country and society are in disorder and distress.

Sixth, Political turbulence is one of the major causes of social violence. Here democratic practices are very limited. So, contrary opinions are not tolerated. Supporters of different political parties are always in clash with one another. Mad-slinging and criticism for the sake of criticism have become an age-old tradition of our politics. The politicians of our country are busy with their self-interest. Moreover, our politics patronizes student politics and thus forms different supporter-groups in our educational institutions.

Violence between different supporter-groups leads to the closure of educational Antitutes and creates a reign of terror all over the country. These student leaders are used as cat's paws by so-called venal politicians of our country. Sometimes one industrialists stealthily or publicly patronize a terrorist-group in order to protect themselves from terrorism and violence and thus exercise negative impact on our society. People of our society can not move freely. In rural areas Thion parishad chairman, upazilla parishad chairman and members supported by the main-stream politics are involved in corruption and deception. Thus people are deprived of the fruits of decentralization and self-government. During the election periods, our country becomes turbulent and our normal life wyle is adversely affected. In this way, political events are mainly responsible for the breach of social peace and stability Seventh, Backwardness of our culture is another reason of social violence Bangladesh being an agro-based country, is not improving expectedly. The contribution of agriculture in GDP is decreasing day by day. Most of the people, who largely depend on agriculture, are living in extreme poverty. Such poverty is creating social unrest.

Eight, Soon after the achievement of our independence, Bangladesh is caught into the net of neo-colonialism. Some International financial organizations such as World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), IDA (International Development Agency) etc. are providing us with attractive loans but at the same time they are crippling our economy by imposing various conditions that promises high return of capital in their favour. For example: They give us loan to start a project and most of the loan money is spent on the foreign consultants. So, such imperialism is adversely affecting our economy and creating extra-pressure on us in the name of co-operation.

Remedies: By taking the following measures, we can minimise the intensity of the problem:

First, We must ensure political stability in our country. Politicians should not be businessmen, they should be truely patriotic.

Second, More and more scope for employment must be created. Our capital should be invested in productive sectors such as industry.

Third, Our education-sector should be made corruption-free and it should reflect an effective education policy.

Fourth, Our intellectuals should play an important role in the development of our country. They should not serve the politicians selfishly.

Fifth, Government must be careful enough in taking a decision about foreign aid. The authority must think twice about whether IMF, Word Bank are contributing to our economy or affecting our economic progress.

Sixth, Our constitution must reflect the hopes and aspirations of our common people.

Seventh, We must try to utilise our own resources, and expertise so that we may get the maximum benefit out of any project.

Conclusion: In the light of above discussion, it has been obvious that undemocratic exercise of power, uncontrolled influence of neo-colonialism and imperialism are mainly responsible for social unrest and instability. We must be united and take co-ordinated efforts in order to build up a peaceful society where peace-loving citizens of our country can breathe freely and happily.