Gender-based violence is common and inherent to all societies. In the patriarchal family structure in Bangladesh, the women are taught to consider themselves as inferior to men and husbands are socialized to own their wives which includes the use of force when necessary. However, during the last two decades, several governmental and nongovernmental agencies and organizations have been promoting awareness against home-based violence in Bangladesh. This study assessed the role of women’s participation in productive activities in reducing the risk of marital violence in Bangladesh. Information was obtained from 500 currently married women younger than 50 years of age from March through May of 1996. The study focused on the reduction of marital violence as a result of their participation in productive activities. The findings indicate that mental torture and physical assault had negative association with a woman’s participation in economic activities. Yet, a woman’s productive role improved both a woman’s position in their household and reduced both mental torture and physical assault. Although age, delayed marriage, education, and standard of living were major determinants of violence against women, the participation of poor women in microcredit-based economic activities seemed to create an enabling environment for them to negotiate with their spouses and modify their relationship. Tables and references