Abstract
Harassment of men is a global issue, prevalent in Bangladesh where legal frameworks continue to perpetuate gender bias. Due to legislative gaps, men suffering mental and physical abuse—particularly regarding adultery and domestic violence—often fail to secure adequate justice. These taboo issues are largely ignored, often fueling further crime. This qualitative study explores how men in Bangladesh become victims of abuse and discrimination arising from specific statutes. By analyzing international legal standards to identify domestic loopholes, this study recommends reforms to ensure equitable justice.
Keywords: Gender Equality, Biased law, Abuse, Adultery, Domestic Violence, Discrimination.
Introduction
Over the last 20 years, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in improving women’s lives and rights, while men’s rights have received less attention. The UN advocates for global objectives known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to promote gender equality and reduce discrimination.[1] A significant focus of the SDGs is on advancing the social and legal rights of women and children, rather than emphasizing men’s rights. The world’s society believes in some norms that males have been dominant nature. These norms and presumption are also stay in our society also exist in our legal frameworks such as adultery, rape and domestic violence cases. Whereas the law considers only men as perpetrators, women and children are the victims. However, Articles 27 and 28 of the Constitution of Bangladesh talk about citizens’ rights and equal treatment.[2] Gender equality doesn’t mean rights, responsibilities, and opportunities rely on any particular gender. Every person should be treated as equal.[3] But in reality, laws become the reason for another law’s violation.
There are numerous laws for the protection of women- the Women and Children Repression Act 2000, the Dowry Prohibition Act 1980, and the Domestic Violence Act 2010. But there is no legal provision that will look after men’s rights. Even in the general laws, men’s rights are exempted. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) reported in 2021 that men are more likely than women to think about suicide. Men die by suicide frequently because men experience more abuse and are less protected by the law than women.[4] Recently, on March 25, 2025, the Government of Bangladesh amended the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000, recognizing males as victims of rape.[5] This amendment proves the existence of harassment and abuse faced by the males. However, they have to do more to protect male rights. Due to the lack of laws, Bangladesh failed to ensure fair justice for men, preventing them from enjoying their rights. This study focuses on the law of Adultery and the Domestic Violence Act 2010, which is one-sided and partial justice against men. These laws presume that only women are victims and address males as criminals of these offenses. This study, particularly, discusses men’s rights, which are violated unintentionally, and the lack of Gender-Neutral laws in our country. That doesn’t mean this study only focuses on gender equality; it will explore the lack of laws that provide facilities for women and create a biased view in our country’s society.
Legal barrier to seeking help
In the 19th and 20th centuries, when the maximum laws of Bangladesh were shaped, they were male-dominated. Male chauvinism had a significant impact on gender norms at this time, since men were seen as the dominant figure in both the public and private domains.[6] This perspective has not changed after independence; the law still reflects these norms. Traditionally, male-dominated legal systems prioritize men in the perpetrator’s view. While women are viewed as beneficiaries by claiming to be victims. Articles 27 and 28 of our constitution state that all citizens shall be treated as equal and not discriminated against by gender, but it reflects that gender bias still exists in our modern times.[7]Currently our legislative body reform the rape law whereas they included men as a victim of rape. However, many provisions are still needed to consider men as victims and establish gender equal laws. This section will briefly discuss specific laws that obscure men’s rights and provide inadequate reasons for failing to achieve gender neutrality, thus creating bias and scope to relieve women offenders.
Adultery
In the modern era, when society is too liberal, adultery is one of the common diseases among people. Adultery is a sexual relationship between a married and an unmarried person who are not spouses. In the modern era, it’s known as external or extramarital affairs, which is the most heinous crime in the social, religious, and moral environment. In our country, adultery is recognized as a crime according to section 497 of the Penal Code Act,1860. When Section 497 was implemented in this region, underage marriage and polygamy were common social practices. Wives were often forced to share their husbands’ affection and attention with multiple rivals. Women were usually confined to their homes while their husbands maintained relationships with several women in their zenanas. Now, 160 years after the law was enacted, the social status of women has changed dramatically. Polygamy, although still recognized under certain legal frameworks, is no longer a societal norm and is illegal under several statutory regulations.[8] However, monogamy has become prevalent these days, but adultery still occurs in different ways. Section 497 of Penal Code state that whoever has sexual intercourse with a person who is and whom he knows wife of another man, that person will be guilty of the offense of adultery and that intercourse without the husband consent not amounting to the rape offence.[9] The reason to mention this provision code of adultery law applies only when the court satisfies that an unmarried man engages in sexual intercourse with another married woman, accused has reasonable believe that she is wife of the another man, that intercourse happens without the consent of her husband, such intercourse not amount of rape, 37 DLR (1985) 335, case court states that these conditions are recognized as an adultery offense.[10] Now the question will arise about how the law will recognize a woman who willingly or abets a person to commit the offence of adultery? Unfortunately, our law of adultery doesn’t deal with this matter. However, the law of adultery in the penal code specifically targets male offenders. Exempted female offenders from the punishment. In Chittagong, Dr. Mustaffa Morshed committed suicide after knowing that his wife had an extramarital affair with another man. Before committing suicide, he posts and Facebook, and police arrest his wife through his Facebook status. She confesses her offence in front of the police, but the court sentences her under section 306 of the Penal Code only for the abetment of the suicide, and her adultery offences are examined due to the absence of law.[11] This selective approach goes against the provisions of the constitution of Bangladesh. Articles 27, 28, and 31 of the constitution challenge the commitment to gender equality[12], not discrimination against any citizen based on gender[13], and lastly, no one may be deprived of their life or individual liberty unless it is authorized by law[14].[15] Additionally, another challenge comes in the law of adultery, when unmarried women, widows, or divorced women engage in sexual intercourse with married men. Bangladeshi court recognized only married women as victims and doesn’t recognize unmarried men as victims or offenders (Nurul Huq Bahadur vs Bibi Sakina and another case).[16] Also court will not punish women who are unmarried offenders of adultery with a married man. Notably, the law regarding adultery states that engaging in sexual intercourse without the husband’s consent does not qualify as rape. There is a contradiction between Section 375 of the rape law and Section 497 of the adultery law. The rape law defines any sexual intercourse without the consent of the victim as a rape offense. However, Section 497 of the adultery law does not recognize the victim’s consent in cases of rape; instead, it prioritizes the consent of the victim’s husband. This implies that a married woman is regarded as her husband’s property. Consequently, the law undermines the legal personhood of women.[17] Both males and females as citizens of Bangladesh should have equal grounds and rights to bring legal action, but Section 497 differs and exempts citizens’ rights and highlighting the gender bias law.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence occurs when one adult relationship misuses power to control another. It can be any kind of abuse, financial, psychological, physical, mental, etc.[18] Domestic violence was considered a taboo subject until Naripokkho highlighted it as a violation of women’s rights in the late 1980s.[19] In 2010, the government established the Domestic Violence Act 2010 to protect women’s and children’s rights from their family members. Nowadays, after being married or before being married, men become the victims of domestic violence committed by women. The Domestic Violence Act 2010 was enacted for women and children privilege which is one-sided and ex parte. Men who are victims of domestic abuse most of the time become hidden and isolated from society. They feel ashamed to report to the police station. Usually, underreporting occurs out of fear of embarrassment or mockery. Men often believe that no one will believe them. Because of our mentality, no one will feel, and everyone believes a woman’s word when she tells lies with crocodile tears.[20] Sadly, there are cases in which organizations designed to assist victims of domestic violence show indifference towards male victims.[21] In recent years, the Bangladesh Men’s Rights Foundation (BMRF), which was founded in 2016, has published a survey that showed around 80% of married men in Bangladesh have faced mental abuse by their spouses.[22] According to the Domestic Violence Act 2010, section 3 defines any physical abuse, psychological abuse, sexual abuse, or economic abuse against a woman or a child of a family by any other person of that family as domestic violence.[23] That definition gives women and children attention. Whereas men are exempted from this provision. Considering men as perpetrators and others as victims of domestic violence is not justiciable from a legal perspective. For that reason, it will become the way for women to get privileges by law. An example NBC reports where Johnny Depp showcased proof of domestic violence against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, in their defamation lawsuit.[24] Although the UK has a gender-neutral domestic abuse law, it has become easier to identify cases of male domestic abuse. In contrast, in Bangladesh, the situation affects around 80% of married couples, but the silence of men on this issue is due to the social barrier and a lack of legal protections.
Laws around the world
The “rule of law” in the Bangladesh constitution establishes that every citizen should be equal before the law. However, it doesn’t imply that our country’s society has become free from biases; discrimination is even visible in several instances. From the legal perspective, Bangladesh has to several substantial strides to establish gender equality, but several difficulties still prevent the protection of citizens’ equal rights. Our neighboring country, India, faces the same issues.[25] Lacking legal issues, it becomes difficult for society to imagine that men can be victims of violence by women or others as perpetrators.[26] Let’s have a look at some countries where they implement gender equality by establishing gender equality: Denmark, Norway, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Italy, South Korea, Canada, and Australia are part of them.[27] Bangladeshi laws prioritize women in achieving justice. This indicates that our country’s specific laws, as discussed above, do not establish equal justice when compared to those of other developed nations.
Regarding Adultery Law
Adultery is considered a moral crime and sin in almost all religions. Several countries recognize adultery as a crime according to their law. In Bangladesh, adultery is also known as a crime according to the Penal Code Act 1860, which only prioritizes women and is biased. Compared to our country’s law to other countries, the countries that are run by Islamic laws, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Yemen, all strictly prohibit adultery, which is called “Zina” or “fornication outside marriage”. And provisions for the death penalty for both as the maximum punishment for adultery.[28] In the USA, Adultery is technically illegal in 21 states. In the state of Minnesota, under Minnesota law section 609.36, a married woman who has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband, and the man involved, can both be guilty of adultery, facing up to one year in prison, a fine of up to $3,000, or both.[29]Most of the states in the USA, including New York cheating on your spouses a misdemeanor. In the UK, adultery is not a crime other than identified as a ground of divorce. In the Philippines, adultery, as per Article 333 of the Revised Penal Code, is committed by a married woman and her paramour, who knows she is married, when they have sexual intercourse. Both are convicted of adultery.[30] Our neighboring country’s Indian Supreme Court abolished the provision of Section 497 of the Indian Penal Code as unconstitutional in the case of (Joseph Shine vs. Union of India).[31] In contrast to the laws mentioned above, our adultery law has a large distinction from their definition. It recognizes both parties as offenders for the same offense, thereby eliminating the gender bias in our country’s legal system.
Regarding Domestic Violence Law
Bangladesh’s legal framework has less support for male victims of domestic violence or abuse. Shelters for male victims suffer from domestic abuse are extremely rare. Around 119 nations have domestic violence laws that protect not only children and women but also all citizens.[32] Our country has included a definition of domestic violence in its laws to protect all citizens, but the terms are somehow limited and disproportionately focus on women. In contrast, the UK’s Domestic Abuse Act 2021 defines domestic abuse without specific reference to gender, stating that any individual can be both a victim and perpetrator of physical, mental, or economic abuse.[33] Johnny Depp and Amber Heard battled in court over Heard’s 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post regarding domestic violence, which did not name Depp. Depp sued for $50 million, and the jury found that Heard couldn’t substantiate her claims and knew they were false. This verdict reflects changing trends in domestic disputes.[34] In Australia, each state and territory has its domestic violence law. One of the states, Queensland, where the Domestic Violence Act commenced in 1989, recognizes victims and perpetrators as aggrieved and respondents without specifying their gender.[35] In South Africa, Section 1 of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 defines domestic violence in a way that overlooks critical gender issues, as it allows any person to be both a respondent and a victim under the law.[36] Hereinafter, apart from these countries, many countries’ law holds both males and females as perpetrators and victims of domestic violence.
Ignorance Becomes Violence
A poem written by Julia A.F. Carney, ‘Little Drop of Water’ says- “little drop of water, little grains of sand, make the mighty ocean and pleasant land.”[37] Similarly, considering a small amount of crime that is ignored by society or the legal system, it can be the root of a serious and large amount of crime in our society. Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country that has strict laws for the protection of women and children. Unfortunately, there is no legislation specifically addressing men’s rights. However, under sections 319 and 320 of the Penal Code 1860,[38] against hurt and grievous hurt, as well as section 193 of the penal code[39] against false evidence, male victims may pursue certain broad remedies. Section 200 of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898[40] allows them to also submit a complaint before a magistrate, as per Bangladeshi law. As a result, men who experience abuse from women fail to get protection under the law, they are forced to choose ways of crimes. In 1995, Matthew Mendel, the author of ‘The Male Survivor: The Impact of Sexual Abuse’, mentioned that males who suffer abuse maximum time they have hidden themselves. [41]It can be hurt to go through the abusive and traumatic experiences. In contrast to the repressed trauma model, victims “may have phases of forgetting, but are quite unable to shut out their memories, most of the time.”[42] These traumas or mentally unstable conditions encourage the victims to take revenge. A study conducted by Abbe Smith in Georgetown University Law Center, states that men and boys who have been horribly victimized and who then rape or kill women. Family violence or Abuse is the root cause of subsequent violence.[43] Lack of laws regarding the issue of adultery and domestic abuse, our country’s male victims are following a cruel way to take their revenge. In the Nazira Bazar area of Old Dhaka, a man named Ibrahim Khan (37) killed his wife after discovering that she had affairs with other men. He later confessed to the crime and informed the police.[44] Apart from this incident in the Rifat Murder Case, Ayesha Siddika Minni was the wife of Rifat Sharif, who had extramarital affairs with Nayan Bond, and the two eventually married in secret. On June 26, Nayan and several others attacked 25-year-old Rifat Sharif in front of his wife, Ayesha. Following an investigation, the police determined that Ayesha was the mastermind behind the brutal killing. On September 30, 2020, the District and Sessions Judge of Barguna sentenced Ayesha Siddika Minni and five others to death for their roles in the murder of Rifat Sharif.[45] This judgment raises questions about the justice system and legal practices in Bangladesh. Minni was convicted of murder, but a related crime went overlooked due to gaps in the law. If a man had been involved instead of Minni, he would have faced adultery charges under Section 497 and murder for the same act. Fortunately, Minni was exempted from punishment because she was born female in this country, where the law provides special exemptions in such circumstances. However, not only do all male victims choose the path of violence, sometimes they also often commit suicide because of anxiety from surviving domestic abuse. The issue in Bangladesh and India arises from gender-biased laws in their penal codes. For instance, the Domestic Violence Act can strip a husband of his property based on a mere complaint, without a fair trial, while the Penal Code allows a wife to file uninvestigated complaints against her husband and his family, potentially leading to imprisonment. Instead of protecting genuine female victims, these laws have been misused to harass men and their families, a phenomenon referred to as “legal terrorism.”[46] Consequently, a man left with no choice chose to take his own life to relieve from mental pressure. Although suicide is classified as a crime under section 309 of our penal code, if the domestic abuse victim fails in their attempt to take their own life, the law does not simply absolve them. According to section 309[47], anyone who tries to commit suicide can face punishment of up to one year in prison, a fine, or both. A report conducted by DW, Azad, a private company employee, reported that after marrying, his wife subjected him to mental and psychological torture and demanded excessive financial support despite lacking interest in their conjugal life. After discovering her multiple affairs, he stopped sending her money, leading her to file a case against him under the Digital Security Act to enforce her demands. He was staying hidden to avoid the police. After fabricating this case by the court, he said he had experienced a large amount of mental torture during those days.[48]Our country’s laws are only woman-friendly and can be easily used for the harassment of men. For this reason, the law becomes a legal terrorist, and the victim finds this criminal or suicidal path when they had no other choice. A s a result, this type of crime is increasing in our society day by day.
Recommendation:
In Bangladesh, the Woman and Children Repression Preventive Act of 2000 has been amended the section 9(1) to exclude gender discrimination from the definition of rape. The previous wording of “woman” and “children” has been replaced with “person,” which demonstrates a commitment to establishing equal justice.[49] This amendment not only promotes equal justice but also aims to challenge the social norms and beliefs that suggest men cannot be victims of sexual abuse by women or others. We need to examine how effectively this amendment is implemented and how society comes to accept these changes. It is important to recognize that this single amendment cannot fully restore men’s rights on its own. Whereas many of the laws can be abused against men by women. To resolve this environment, Bangladesh needs to establish gender neutral laws for protecting and treating citizens equally. The goal is to establish gender-neutral laws in Bangladesh that ensure equal rights and justice for all citizens. This begins by amending discriminatory laws and ensuring that both men and women can defend their rights without fear of denial or abuse.[50]Currently, the gender-discriminatory laws approach contradicts constitutional principles and international human rights standards. To address these issues, the law should be amended to hold both men and women accountable for adultery and domestic abuse. In the case of adultery, the current law in Bangladesh, under Section 497 of the Penal Code of 1860, needs to redefine the crime of adultery. It should focus on the individual involved rather than specifying a particular gender or only addressing the wife of another man. This reform should acknowledge that both married women and married men can be victims. By not specifying a particular gender, it will help identify offenders more broadly, especially since unmarried women may be accused of committing adultery with married men. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of the consent of an individual rather than solely relying on the consent of a husband. Apart from this, there is another reform needed in the Domestic Violence Act of 2010, as it currently privileges women. The act’s definition of domestic violence under section 3 should be revised to avoid the exclusive use of terms like “woman” and “children.” This provision overlooks the special necessity behind the enactment of the legislation similar to previous rape definition of Woman and Children Repression Preventive Act, 2000. This provision specifies a particular gender, which results in excluding the opposite gender from their rights due to the privileges granted by these laws, and most of the time, it will be used as a ‘trump card’ that is mentioned as a victim in this provision. Additionally, legal recourse should be expanded to allow both males and females to file complaints and pursue prosecution. Acknowledging domestic abuse against males and providing legislative support are two significant outcomes of these necessary changes. Men will be brave enough to disclose abuse as a result.[51] More complaints will be made, and more accurate and trustworthy statistical data will be accessible for additional studies in this field.
Conclusion:
Justice is not a game, it’s a sacred duty. Blind justice signifies the concept that justice ought to be fair and objective, free from bias or partiality.[52] Every prima facie case should be blind and gender-neutral, rather than determining conviction based on gender. According to American Journalist Gloria Steinem, “A gender equal society would be one where the word ‘gender’ does not exist: where everyone can be themselves.”[53] Gender-neutral laws and practices do not discriminate against individuals based on their gender. These laws protect everyone’s rights and practices, regardless of gender identity. Whether a person is male, female, or non-binary, the goal of gender neutrality is to abolish any bias and discrimination against them based on their gender.[54] On the other hand, our constitution claims that every citizen is treated as equal, in reality, it seems our laws are gender-biased by determining criminal offenders based on a person’s gender, where individuals of any gender could be responsible. The existing laws create loopholes that can be exploited against individuals from all backgrounds. Instead of introducing new laws to ensure equal justice, we need to reform the laws surrounding adultery and domestic violence, which face various abusive challenges before the citizens, so that they become gender-neutral. Also, the people of Bangladesh and the legislative body should recognize that ‘Criminals have no gender’.
2026 Legal Research Professional Certificate
[1] ‘Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment’ (United Nations Sustainable Development) https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/gender-equality
[2] The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
[3] UNFPA, ‘Gender Equality’ (UNFPA ESARO2 December 2014)
[4] List of countries by suicide rate (2025a) Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_suicide_rate(Accessed: 20 April 2025).
[5] ‘Woman and Child Repression and Preventive Act 2000’ (Minlaw.gov.bd2025) http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-1524.html?lang=en accessed 19 April 2025
[6] Mobashwira J, ‘Gender Bias Entrenched in Our Legislation’ (The Daily Star, 12 December 2024) https://www.thedailystar.net/law-our-rights/news/gender-bias-entrenched-our-legislation-3775001 accessed 20 April 2025
[7] ibid
[8] Maruf T, ‘Adultery Law in Bangladesh: A Reassessment for Contemporary Application’ [2020] Bangladesh Journal of Legal Studies
[9] The Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860) s.497.
[10] 37 DLR (1985) 335 Case
[11] TBS Report 02 September and Report, T. (2019) CMCH doctor death: Appeal against wife Mitu’s bail, The Business Standard. Available at: https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/cmch-doctor-death-appeal-against-wife-mitus-bail (Accessed: 20 April 2025).
[12] The Constitution of people’s Republic of Bangladesd, S.27
[13] Ibid s.28
[14] Ibid s.31
[15] Hasan, Md.S., Chowdhury, S.S. and Perveen, A. (2024) Causes and impacts of adultery on the disruption of the family system of Bangladesh; a critical analysis on the Section 497 of The penal code, 1860, SSRN. Available at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4992729 (Accessed: 20 April 2025).
[16] Nurul Huq Bahadur vs Bibi Sakina and another 1985 BLD 269
[17] Sun D, ‘Adultery and Gender Inequality’ (daily-sunMay 2022) https://www.daily-sun.com/printversion/details/619299 accessed 20 April 2025
[18] Kaur, R. and Garg, S. (2009) ‘Domestic violence against women: A qualitative study in a rural community’, Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health, 22(2), pp. 242–251.
[19] ‘The Women’s Movement in Bangladesh throughout the Years’ (The Daily Star6 April 2020)
[20] Sarkar S, Dsouza R, Dasgupta A. Domestic Violence against Men: A Study Report by Save Family Foundation. New Delhi: Save Family Foundation; 2007. Retrieved from https://ipc498a.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/domestic-violence-against-men.pdf
[21] ‘Domestic Violence Law and Resource Center’ (Findlaw4 April 2016) https://www.findlaw.com/family/domestic-violenceaccessed 20 April 2025
[22] Welle (www.dw.com) D, ‘Bangladesh: Male Victims of Domestic Violence Demand Gender-Neutral Laws | DW | 20.11.2020’ (DW.COM)
[23] Women and Children Repression Preventive Act 2010.
[24] Heard A, ‘Opinion | Amber Heard: I Spoke up against Sexual Violence — and Faced Our Culture’s Wrath. That Has to Change.’ Washington Post (18 December 2018)
[25] Kanaujia S, ‘Need for More Gender-Neutral Laws’ (Need for More Gender-Neutral Laws10 May 2024) https://www.drishtijudiciary.com/blog/need-for-more-gender-neutral-laws accessed 24 April 2025
[26] Ibid
[27] Nater O, ‘What Are the Top Countries for Gender Equality?’ (Population Connection8 March 2024) https://populationconnection.org/blog/what-are-the-top-countries-for-gender-equality/
[28] Room N and lawyersclubbangladesh.com/en, ‘Adultery: Unconstitutional Section 497 of Penal Code Should Amend — Lawyersclubbangladesh.com’ (lawyersclubbangladesh.com26 July 2020) https://lawyersclubbangladesh.com/en/2020/07/26/adultery-unconstitutional-section-497-of-penal-code-should-amend/ accessed 24 April 2025
[29] Sec. 609.36 MN Statutes’ (Mn.gov2023) https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/2006/cite/609.36
[30] ‘Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) | Devex’ (www.devex.com)
[31] ‘Joseph Shine vs. Union of India’
[32] Giridhar N, ‘The Global Spread of Domestic Violence Legislation: Causes and Effects’ (2012) https://as.nyu.edu/content/dam/nyu-as/politics/documents/Giridhar_Nisha.pdf
[33] The Domestic Abuse Act 2021.
[34] Tazri Tarannum Kashmir, ‘Bangladesh: Legal Protections for Male Victims of Domestic Violence – Asia Law Portal – a Forum for Discussion of News, Information & Opportunity in the Asia-Pacific Legal Markets’ (Asia Law Portal – A forum for discussion of news, information & opportunity in the Asia-Pacific legal markets26 February 2024)
[35] ‘National Police Checks Online | Discount Police Check | ANCC’ (Australiannationalcharactercheck.com.au2025) https://www.australiannationalcharactercheck.com.au/Domestic-violence-laws- accessed 24 April 2025
[36] Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998, S.1
[37] ‘A Quote by Julia A.F. Carney’ (www.goodreads.com) https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/365817-little-drops-of-water-little-grains-of-sand-make-the
[38] The Penal Code Act XLV of 1860, s319,320.
[39] Ibid s.193
[40] The Code of Criminal Procedure 1898, s.200
[41] Parynik Mendel M, The Male Survivor the Impact of Sexual Abuse (1995)
[42] Grewcock M, ‘Welcome to Zscaler Directory Authentication’ (Ssrn.com2025) https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2148150 accessed 25 April 2025
[43] Smith A, ‘The “Monster” in All of Us: When Victims Become Perpetrators’ 389
[44] ‘Tezzfeed: Headlines That Matter, Summarized for You.’ (Tezzfeed.com2025) https://tezzfeed.com/latest-news/husband-kills-wife-over-affair-in-nazira-bazar-calls-999-and-says-im-at-home-take-me accessed 25 April 2025
[45] ‘Murder of Rifat Sharif’ (Wikipedia20 October 2022) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Rifat_Sharif
[46] Sheikh2025 NA 8 Married Men’s Suicide: a Silent Epidemic in India
[47] The Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860), s309
[48] Welle (www.dw.com) D, ‘Bangladesh: Male Victims of Domestic Violence Demand Gender-Neutral Laws | DW | 20.11.2020’ (DW.COM20 November 2020)
[49] The Daily Star’ (The Daily Star20 March 2025) https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/law-protecting-women-children-advisory-council-clears-amendments-fast-track-trial-3853361 accessed 27 April 2025
[50] SeventhQueen and Kanak, ‘An Analysis of the Penal Provision on Adultery in Light of Gender Equality and the Constitution – Dhaka Law Review’ (Dhaka Law Review29 October 2024)
[51] Islam Dewan MF, ‘How to Address Domestic Violence against Men in Bangladesh’ (The Business Standard29 November 2021)
[52] markbroughton, ‘What Does Blind Justice Mean?’ (Mark Broughton7 October 2024) https://fresnocriminallawyer.com/what-does-blind-justice-mean/
[53] Sehgal DR, ‘Gender Equality v. Gender Neutrality’ (iPleaders15 April 2021) https://blog.ipleaders.in/gender-equality-v-gender-neutrality/
[54] M.P. Singh, “Gender, Law and Sexual Assault”, 32 EAPW 1997
