Risk Factors for Domestic Violence Against Women in South and Southeast Asian Countries: A Pooled Cross-sectional Study

Sazia Ahmed; Md Mustakim Munshi

doi:10.53808/KUS.2025.22.02.1355-ss

Authors

Sazia Ahmed Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh
Md Mustakim Munshi Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53808/KUS.2025.22.02.1355-ss

Keywords:

Domestic Violence, Women, Risk Factors, Developing Countries

Abstract

Domestic violence against women encompasses actions or behaviors within an intimate relationship that inflict sexual, physical, and psychological harm on women. Domestic abuse is a scourge for women in underdeveloped countries. This study aimed to explore the risk factors associated with domestic violence against women. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with domestic violence against women. A total of 56,432 married women were selected from the DHS secondary data of nine developing countries for the study. Binomial logistic regression was employed for the analysis. The primary individual risk variables included a woman's age, education, professional qualifications, and exposure to parental abuse during childhood. Risk variables at the relationship level encompass cohabitation status (respondent's age when they started living with their partner), the partner's status regarding alcohol addiction and educational qualifications, and family structure. This study also identified several societal and community-level risk variables, including family inequality, social norms, media connectivity, women's religious status, and distinctions between rural and urban areas. The results focused on the multifaceted features of domestic violence. These insights are essential for formulating targeted interventions and public policies that advance gender equality, facilitate early prevention through education, and enhance community awareness.

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