Results: Only 39% of women were members of
microfinance programmes. The prevalence of a history of
IPV was 48% for moderate physical violence, 16% for
severe physical violence and 16% for sexual violence. For
women with secondary or higher education, and women
at the two wealthiest levels of the wealth index,
microfinance programme membership increased the
exposure to IPV two and three times, respectively. The
least educated and poorest groups showed no change in
exposure to IPV associated with microfinance
programmes. The educated women who were more
equal with their spouses in their family relationships by
participating in decision-making increased their exposure
to IPV by membership in microfinance programmes.
Conclusions: Microfinance plans are associated with an
increased exposure to IPV among educated and
empowered women in Bangladesh. Microfinance firms
should consider providing information about the
associations between microfinance and IPV to the
women belonging to the risk groups.