Domestic violence against women and girls is an everyday occurrence in Bangladesh.
When S.M. Shaikat was 16, media reports of women suffering abuse at the hands of their husbands and in-laws caught his attention. But what could a teenager with little money or influence do about gender equality in this conservative society?
“I came across a number of situations and barriers, including my age and economic condition,” he told Devex. “I still remember that I was not treated to be a potential delegate to any local-level meetings by NGOs even. Government offices were more rigid than NGOs.”
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About the author
Jenny Lei Ravelo@JennyLeiRavelo
Jenny Lei Ravelo is a Devex Senior Reporter based in Manila. She covers global health, with a particular focus on the World Health Organization, and other development and humanitarian aid trends in Asia Pacific. Prior to Devex, she wrote for ABS-CBN, one of the largest broadcasting networks in the Philippines, and was a copy editor for various international scientific journals. She received her journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas.