Social Networks in the Context of Microfinance and Intimate Partner Violence in Bangladesh: A Mixed-Methods Study

Authors

Nadine S. Murshid, University at Buffalo, SUNYFollow
Allison Zippay, Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyFollow

Keywords

Intimate partner violence (IPV) disclosure, poverty, microfinance, Bangladesh

Abstract

This mixed-methods study draws from social network theory to examine disclosure and help seeking for intimate partner violence among microfinance participants in Bangladesh. This study uses data on women from the nationally representative Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007 and from in-depth interviews with 30 microfinance participants in Dhaka. Propensity Score Matching analyses indicated that increase in social contacts due to microfinance participation was not associated with disclosing IPV. Responses from the urban sample indicated that reasons for nondisclosure include feelings of shame, stigma, and fear of being perceived as weak by others. Implications regarding how microfinance organizations can tap participant networks as mechanisms for change are discussed.

Recommended Citation

Murshid, Nadine S. and Zippay, Allison (2017) "Social Networks in the Context of Microfinance and Intimate Partner Violence in Bangladesh: A Mixed-Methods Study," The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 44: Iss. 3, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3881
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol44/iss3/8