DRAFT TOR: BASELINE SURVEY
Conducting a Baseline Survey on Violence against Women in Bangladesh
Introduction
In Bangladesh, violence against women (VAW) is an issue of serious concern because of its extent
and severity. Traditional values, social norms, individual attitude, religious taboos, lack of protective
laws, inadequate penal provision for the perpetrators, lack of appropriate policies are some of the
reasons causing violence against women and girl workers in Bangladesh. Undoubtedly, sufferings out
of violence particularly against women and girl workers are enormous. It not only affects economic
wellbeing of the families but also jeopardizes personal lives of the incumbents particularly if they are
women or girls. Evidences on violence against women galore in research and press reports. Survey
findings indicate that in Bangladesh 60 to 70 percent of women and girls suffer from sexual and
physical violence while at work. Some women and girl workers find it difficult to keep going with
their jobs because of sexual harassment in workplaces. Sexual harassment outside the workplaces
seriously constrains free movement of women and girls in the society.
Despite efforts to curb violence against women, the situation does not seem to have improved
significantly. Rather, upward trend of violence against women shows an alarming situation which
needs to be improved immediately with all out efforts. If this problem escalates unabated, social
stability will be at stake no doubt. It is in this backdrop that the project has been undertaken. To
launch this type of project, the need of authentic and up-to-date data can hardly be exaggerated.
Quality data are needed to formulate policies and undertake pro-active programs to address the
problem at national level. Addressing a problem like this needs change in the attitude of individuals,
developing skill of the functionaries, increasing knowledge of the policy makers and raising
awareness of the target groups
Objectives
The objectives of the baseline survey are as follows:
The baseline survey intends to capture the state of violence against women and girl workers at
workplaces, particularly in (i) garments factories; (ii) tea processing factories, (iii) shrimp
processing factories and in factories located in Export Processing Zones. In addition to the
above sectors, the survey will also cover a public sector organization namely, Dhaka Medical
College Hospital.
It will collect a base line which will be captured in a report which would be used to
understand changes in the situation in future. The survey is expected to provide
comprehensive and up-to-date information regarding violence against women and girl
workers in selected work places. Moreover, it would help assessing impact of any program
intending to mitigate or eliminate violence against women and girl workers in Bangladesh.
Specific Tasks
The tasks of the baseline survey are enumerated as follows:
The base line survey will be framed on sample basis.
It will be conducted in (i) garments factories; (ii) tea processing factories, (iii) shrimp
processing factories and in factories located in Export Processing Zones. In addition to the
above sectors, the survey will also cover a public sector organization namely, Dhaka Medical
College Hospital.
Women and girl workers will constitute the population from which the sample would be
drawn for intensive survey. The sample size would be determined based on the time available
for the survey.
The study design will be such that the sample becomes representative of the population.
It will use probability sampling technique where the unit of observation would be women and
girl workers working in the above mentioned factories and organization.
An effective and efficient methodology would be developed to conduct the survey.
An appropriate questionnaire would be developed to collect data from the survey area. The
questionnaire will include only work place violence against women and girl workers. The
questionnaire will also attempt to capture demographic and socioeconomic conditions of the
workers under study.
Concepts, definitions and classification of different terminologies used in the survey should
be clearly spelled out.
Outputs
From a methodological point of view, it would be important to include the following
1. A secondary literature review of violence against women and sexual harassment at work to:
Existing Policy framework:.
Draw a conceptual framework for violence against women (specially focused on sexual
harassment) at work. Clarification needs to be made on the definition of the workplace;
definition of violence and sexual harassment. Take stock of existing work and the magnitude
of the problem and who (sector/ age/ profile) are most affected (this is needed to draft a good
survey questionnaire).
2. Secondary data review to describe the participation of women in the workforce and which
sectors are absorbing them. Position the (i) garments factories; (ii) tea processing factories, (iii)
shrimp processing factories and in factories located in Export Processing Zones to explain why we are
focusing on these sectors.
3. Ascertain the size of the workforce and number and nature of enterprises in the (i) garments
factories; (ii) tea processing factories, (iii) shrimp processing factories and in factories located in
Export Processing Zones. This will be needed to come up with a sample size and decide on which
kinds of enterprises to survey (small, big, informal, formal, etc)
4. Sexual harassment at the workplace: this will need to record the incidences of Sexual
Harassment but the kinds of harassment experienced: a good survey questionnaire needs to be
developed. Confidentiality of sources of information will be kept as required for the purpose.
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5. Conclusions and suggestions for monitoring incidences of sexual harassment with a database
6. Develop an analytical report containing following aspects-
Overview on the condition of sexual harassment at workplace.
Reflect on types of sexual harassment and its cause, effect on women’s life.
Get an overview on Knowledge Attitude Practice level to address sexual harassment at
workplace.
Status of the set indicators-related information.
Time frame and Submission
The work should commence immediately after the signing of contract and be completed within twelve
weeks – sixteen weeks.
The report should be submitted in both soft and hard copies to the ILO.
Qualifications & Skills Required
The consultant/firm should:
Have excellent academic and research background;
Have excellent conceptual and analytical skills;
Have proven knowledge and experience in conducting baseline survey;
Have proven knowledge of the UN in general and the ILO in particular and their objectives.
Have proven gender sensitivity and ethical perspectives of the study.
