Causes and Consequences of Divorce among Women: a Case Study in Khulna City

Abstract This study explores the causes and consequences of divorce among women in Khulna City, based on research undertaken in Wards 17, 18, 22, and 23 in Khulna City Corporation in August 2022. With the help of a semi-structured interview schedule, primary data were collected from 13 respondents of modest socio-economic background through face-to-face communication. We identified several factors to be responsible for divorce, including the demand for dowry; infidelity and polygamy by the husband; infertility; the birth of a disabled child; suspicion of infidelity and drug addiction on the part of the husband. Following divorce, women reported lower socio-economic status; mental health problems including loneliness, anger, depression, and anxiety; children’s psychological issues; and sexual harassment.