In search of justice: Untold tales of domestic violence survivors

Abstract

This is the English translation of the book titled ন্যায়বিচারের সন্ধানেঃ পারিবারিক সহিংসতার শিকার নারীদের অব্যক্ত উপাখ্যান, published by BIGD and GIZ.

Domestic violence is pervasive in Bangladesh. While there are remedies in place for domestic violence—protective and punitive measures—and institutional mechanisms for responses, access to justice remains a challenge. This report presents twelve case studies drawn from a wider study, exploring in depth each woman’s complex justice journey during the pandemic. It is intended to allow readers—academics, practitioners, and those supporting women and girls who are survivors of domestic violence—to reflect on their individual and institutional roles and responsibilities, and to strengthen strategies of response.

The original study titled “Access to Justice During COVID-19 for Survivors of Domestic Violence” was carried out by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), between November 2020 and April 2021, to understand the experiences of domestic violence survivors in seeking justice during the pandemic, their coping mechanisms, how they sought to deal with adversity and their complex justice journeys during COVID-19. The study aimed to examine the lived experiences of vulnerable married women with limited education and financial means, who had faced violence by their husbands and in-laws and sought assistance from legal service providers. It was commissioned by the Rule of Law Programme, GIZ Bangladesh, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), and carried out in collaboration with three non-governmental organizations (NGOs), namely BRAC, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), and Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Service (RDRS) Bangladesh.