Women in Bangladesh are yet to be empowered financially, politically and socially as equal at all spheres – state, society and the family – in 50 years of the country’s independence. Though the participation of women in education, politics and job sectors has increased during the period, they are yet to get equal access to decision making positions in society and the family. Women have a long way to go to be empowered due to existing patriarchal systems and the mindset of the majority of people. Various achievements of the state on women empowerment are being overshadowed by the increasing rate of violence against women, including domestic violence. High percentages of child marriages and income discrimination are also acting as a barriers.
At present, there are 71 women lawmakers in the Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) out of 350. Though more than two-thirds of women lawmakers came from 50 reserved seats it is considered major progress for women in the political sphere. There are also reserved seats for women in local government bodies, including city corporations, municipalities, zila, upazila and union parishads. The grim picture is, as per UNICEF, 51 per cent of young women in Bangladesh were married before their 18th birthday. Over 70 per cent of married women or girls faced some form of intimate partner abuse, about half of whom said their partners physically assaulted them.
The political parties in Bangladesh missed the 2021 deadline for ensuring 33 percent women representation in their committees. Women are lagging behind in many areas and are yet to get recognition for their contributions. We need a big change in our perception about women and should consider them humans first. Women are still being forced to bow down to the existing patriarchal systems in the society. As money and muscle power dominate the election system, women often feel discouraged to participate. Lawlessness and culture of impunity are at the root of increasing violence against women in the country. We need competent people’s leaders to have a functional government and not a government afraid of people and not ready stop stealing elections.
