‘Porn to blame for increasing violence against women’

Most of the respondents in a study think that violence against women and girls has increased in the society because of the increasing rate of pornography consumption.

The research report titled "Impact of easy accessibility of pornography on the internet and its relevance with violence against women and girls in Bangladesh" was published at a programme at Jatiya Press Club yesterday, organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation.

Sirajul Islam, innovation adviser of Dnet, presented the research.

The study was conducted to analyse the relationship between the engagement of pornographic and derogatory content about women on the internet, and the rise of violence, abuse and aggression against women in society.

A total of 518 respondents participated in the survey, of whom, 53 percent were males from 16 districts of eight divisions. The survey was conducted from October last year to February this year.

According to the study, 82 percent of respondents said they think violence against women and girls has increased due to the increasing rate of viewing pornography.

The research recommended that shutting down pornography will not solve any problem. Besides, there are no restrictions on domestic pornography content as well, making it easily accessible to children.

In a more shocking revelation, the study found that 81 percent of respondents have negative perceptions of free-spirited women, while 39 percent of women and 42 percent of men have derogatory perceptions of women in general.

The research also claimed that the derogatory portrayal of women in online content strengthens the existing narrative of "bad girl". Seventy-nine percent of respondents believe in the concept of "good girls" and "bad girls", while 52 percent believe women should not work in showbiz, media or any other profession that requires them to work night shifts with men and travel.

Of the 52 percent respondents, 21 percent are women and 31 percent are men. 

The researchers also mentioned how difficult it was to research issues like sexuality, pornography and sexism, which are still considered taboos in society.

Shahana Huda, a professor of law at Dhaka University, said that it is difficult to prove through law that someone has committed violence, being motivated by pornography.

"Even a husband sexually abusing or raping his wife while viewing pornography is not considered a punishable offence by law," she said.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, who moderated the event, said the problem could not be solved by shutting down pornography sites.

"The education curriculum needs to be changed. The issue of sex education should be given importance in educational institutions. Families should teach children values like respecting women," she said.

Film director Ashfaque Nipun, psychological counsellor Rehnuma-E-Jannat and journalist Nowroz Imtiaz spoke at the programme, among others.