Men’s perspectives on women’s empowerment and intimate partner violence in rural Bangladesh

Intimate partner violence may increase as women in patriarchal societies become empowered and challenge prevailing gender norms. This study explored men’s evolving views of women, gender norms and justifications for partner violence in the context of transitioning gender norms. The findings suggest that men’s growing acceptance of egalitarian gender norms and their self-reported decreased engagement in intimate partner violence are driven largely by their desire to improve their economic status and their fear of negative consequences to partner violence.