Breaking stereotypes about girls' education

Women's education refers to opportunities for women to pursue academic and professional career. Over time, the number of women seeking higher education has grown, yet many still face social, cultural, and economic barriers. In private universities in Bangladesh, nearly 40 per cent to 50 per cent of students are women. These institutions often follow foreign curricula and have high tuition fees, leading to the misconception that all female students come from privileged backgrounds. In reality, many, including myself, come from modest areas like Puran Dhaka. I am pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration at a private university.

While women's education is increasing in Bangladesh, a different reality exists in certain parts of Dhaka, especially in older areas. Prejudices persist, with many families believing that educating sons is an investment, as they will earn money and care for the family in the future. In contrast, daughters are seen as liabilities. Families often think that investing in their daughters' education is pointless since they will eventually marry and work in the kitchen. Women are sometimes only allowed to study further if their husbands permit it, but even then, attending a private university remains off-limits. In many households, the fear that studying at such institutions will damage a woman's reputation and affect her chances of marriage still lingers.

In Puran Dhaka, it is commonly believed that women should marry soon after completing their SSC or HSC, and their success is measured by their husband's status. In joint families, additional pressures from relatives often discourage women from pursuing higher education. When I expressed my desire to study at a private university after completing my HSC, many relatives warned my father that I might engage in improper activities. Some even said it was unsafe for me to travel such a long distance to the university and that pursuing higher education would ruin my chances of getting married. Despite this, I was determined not to be a burden and continued my studies.

I became the first woman in my family to enrol in a private university. Though my parents were concerned about our financial situation, they supported me under one condition: I had to maintain excellent academic performance. They believed in me, and despite hearing so many negative comments, they encouraged me to pursue higher education. To ease the financial burden, I worked hard to contribute to my tuition fees through affiliate marketing, research assistant roles, and tutoring. After much effort, even my relatives have come to see that daughters, too, are valuable assets when given the chance to pursue their ambitions.

Jerin Yasmeen Nimu

Undergrad Student

North South University