Reluctance of seeking legal remedy in dowry violence cases in Bangladesh: An analysis of influencing factors

Synopsis This paper aims to identify and analyse the reasons that hinder women, who are victims of dowry violence, to seek and adopt legal action against the perpetrators. Although stringent legal provisions with stern punitive measures have been undertaken, the number of dowry violence is steadily increasing. Conversely, only a small number of cases are reported to the law enforcing agency. In this study it was observed, although most of the victimized women are aware of statutes, they are unwilling to resort legal mechanism. Further, some victims were found to have attempted to receive legal remedy in their cases. However, due to problems with the law enforcing agencies they have lost interest to further follow-up on their cases.