Paper short abstract:

The civil society can play vital role in addressing the vulnerability of Spousal violence of the female garments workers in Bangladesh. Research shows that Economic empowerment of women sometimes enhances the scope of SV. Men engagement could be an effective approach to deal with this situation.

Paper long abstract:

A recent study, conducted by the ICDDRB shows that half of the female garments workers in Bangladesh faces spousal violence. The study shows that women with a savings of more than 50,000 taka are more vulnerable to SV. Savings increases her vulnerability to SV several times. This vulnerability includes physical, sexual and economic SV. (The Daily Observer, 2018). One of the major reasons behind this vulnerability of women is the "superiority complex of men" caused by the unequal gender relationship and could be addressed through the sensitization of men. In most of the cases the garments factories have limited scope to work directly with the husbands of their female workers as they are not the part of the RMG labour force. The Civil society in this respect can play vital role by engaging men to address Spousal violence in Bangladesh. The men engagement approach, led by the civil society may be beneficial from three different aspects. Firstly, introducing non-violent form of manhood, which will reduce the scope of SV. Secondly, caring and sharing of household work will reduce the double burden of women. Thirdly, non-violent and cooperative environment in the home will enhance the productivity of the female workers by reducing depression and illness.

In this paper, I would try to draw a road map for the civil society to engage men to ensure decent work for the working women in the RMG sector of Bangladesh.