Socioeconomic development initiatives and women’s experiences of marital violence in rural Bangladesh

Abstract

Socioeconomic development initiatives (SDIs) have become a controversial issue. In giving skill trainings and credit supports, practitioners assume that SDI participation will enhance women’s income/dignity. Some studies have indicated that SDIs reduce women’s exposure to marital violence (MV), while others have shown that they increase spousal conflicts/MV. Our study explains how SDI participation may influence women’s marital life. This explorative study adopted a grounded theory design. Data included 17 participating-women’s interviews. It revealed that many women experienced further marital subordination, spousal conflicts, and MV. Yet women with strong motivation increased marital dignity/safety. Caring husbands facilitated this. If men can be involved in supporting women, impacts of SDIs will be substantial.