An unwelcoming place for women

Revised Version:

International Women’s Day is observed globally on March 8, with the United Nations designating a theme each year. This year’s theme, “For all women and girls: Rights, equality, and empowerment,” appears to be conventional, lacking urgency and action-driven momentum. True progress in women’s rights, gender equality, and empowerment requires a stronger focus on accelerating action.

In Bangladesh, despite notable advancements and the progress women have made in various fields, deep-rooted structural and social barriers continue to hinder their full empowerment and socio-economic development.

Economic Disempowerment of Women

• Only 14% of working-age women (15-65) are actively employed.
• Women hold just 10% of managerial positions, compared to 88% for men.
• About 92% of employed women work in the informal sector, facing high wage gaps and lack of benefits.
• Women constitute only 7% of the 7 million entrepreneurs in the country.
• Just 15% of Bangladeshi firms have women as owners or co-owners.

Women’s economic empowerment is crucial for their agency and overall development. Key factors such as education, skills training, access to decent work, property rights, financial services, social protection, and leadership opportunities must be prioritized.

Patriarchy and Social Disempowerment

• Patriarchy remains a dominant force, restricting women’s choices, financial independence, and decision-making power.
• Only 36% of Bangladeshi women have bank accounts.
• Women often lack control over their earnings, with many handing over their income to male family members.
• Legal and policy frameworks regarding marriage, divorce, custody, maintenance, and inheritance remain male-dominated.

Child Marriage and Its Impact

• Nearly 60% of adolescent girls are married before the legal age of 18.
• Bangladesh has the highest adolescent fertility rate in South Asia, with 28% of women aged 15-19 already mothers.
• Early marriage limits education and economic opportunities, leading to high dropout rates among girls.

Human Security and Violence Against Women

• Two vulnerable groups—sex workers and migrant women workers—face severe exploitation and abuse.
• Sex workers often enter the profession under coercion, poverty, or sociocultural pressures.
• Women migrant workers, particularly in the Middle East, are subjected to passport confiscation, inhumane working conditions, sexual exploitation, and abuse.
• Domestic violence is widespread, with 70% of women reporting some form of abuse.
• 64% of domestic violence survivors do not report their experiences due to fear, stigma, and lack of support.

Political Disempowerment

• Women’s participation in politics is constrained by patriarchal norms, limiting their autonomy and decision-making.
• Political engagement, including voting and advocacy, is often dictated by male family members.
• Despite women’s critical role in Bangladesh’s Liberation War, their political presence remains marginalized.

The Path Forward: Urgent Need for Accelerated Action

Women’s empowerment in Bangladesh demands urgent, action-oriented strategies. Building on past achievements, addressing existing gaps, and overcoming systemic barriers require innovative policies, strong alliances, and proactive measures. Real progress will come from translating rhetoric into concrete actions that ensure gender equality, rights, and empowerment for all women and girls.