Bonhishikha, in partnership with Nagorik Uddyog, conducted an action research study exploring the nature, causes, and impacts of gender-based violence (GBV) among Dalit women and girls in Dhaka’s Doyagonj, Lalbagh, and Narayanganj communities. The study aimed to identify sociocultural and structural factors that reinforce caste-based and gendered inequalities, while creating pathways for empowerment and participation of Dalit women and girls facing multiple forms of oppression.
What We Found:
The research revealed that Dalit women and girls experience layered vulnerabilities due to poverty, caste discrimination, and restrictive gender norms. They face verbal, physical, and domestic abuse often justified by patriarchal notions of obedience, marriageability, and family honor. Their education, mobility, and decision-making are heavily controlled by male relatives, while structural exclusion limits access to justice and protection. These findings underline the urgent need for intersectional interventions that address gender, caste, and class to advance equality and reduce violence.