The World Development Report 2012 finds that 'gender equality and economic development are inextricably linked'. But unfortunately, 'despite many international agreements affirming their rights, women are still much more likely than men to be poor and illiterate, have less access than men to medical care, property ownership, credit, training and employment,…far more likely to be victims of domestic violence' according to UNFPA. Ironically, after the birth of a girl, gender discrimination begins in the family, from rearing the child to every step of its growing up. Although Bangladesh is doing better in terms of women's empowerment compared to other South Asian countries, pervasive challenges still remain which require urgent attention.
Long time ago, Napoleon said, 'give me an educated mother and I will give you an educated nation.' Begum Rokeya, the icon of emancipation of women from discrimination commented that development of a nation is quite impossible without utilising half of its potentials (women's merits). Like Rokeya, poet Kazi Nazrul Islam also mentioned, 'what we see as beautiful, valuable and beneficial on this earth, is shared equally by men and women.' From these statements, importance of women in the building the society is clear enough. To empower women, the role of education is inevitable. In this context, it is worth noting that in a recent report of the World Bank, it is found that some 65 per cent of women with primary education or less are married as children.
Reducing gender discrimination in every sector from education to health is a precondition to development. As different kinds of social mobility are increasing, the level of women's empowerment is also increasing significantly. In cities and villages, parents these days are aware of their children's education. From medical sector to university level, women's participation is remarkable. Not only in the education sector but also in job sector women are working hand in hand with men. In many families in Bangladesh, women are shouldering the responsibilities of families as key bread earners.
However, such instances are not many. A close look at the surroundings gives the impression that gender disparity is clearly manifested everywhere in our society. Due to the patriarchal nature of our society, girls or women are discriminated and are neglected. The woman who is spending 16 to 17 hours running all kinds of households chores barely has the chance to see her role evaluated. There is no economic value of her work. On the other hand, the woman, who is at an important position at her work place, is not counted as such in her own family. Her contribution to the family is also not recognised. There are examples of extreme cruelty to which an educated woman can be subjected to. One glaring examples is that of Dhaka University teacher Rumana Manzur who was brutally attacked and her eyesight were destroyed by her husband a couple of years back. There are plenty of instances where women are 'disproportionately clustered in low-paying jobs like in the garment factories and unpaid reproductive and caring labour in the private sphere, labour that is invisible in economic analysis' (Tickner 2011:272).
Discrimination casts itself in many shades and forms. There is an inherent taboo that seems to creep up in matters related to girls. This causes serious hindrance in higher education of females, in their seeking jobs or in trying to engage in entrepreneurial activities. Although in this age of globalisation, women are being empowered in an apparent sense, but the critical question remains: how far empowerment is really happening?
For a prosperous, enlightened, empowered Bangladesh, there is no alternative to the empowerment of women economically, educationally, and politically. True education can play a pivotal role in this regard.
Tania Sultana and Shariful Islam are pursuing Master's in Sociology and International Relations respectively at the South Asian University, New Delhi, India.              sultanatn28@gmail.com               shariful.shuvo.duir@gmail.com.
Empowering women: Empowering Bangladesh
Tania Sultana and Shariful Islam | Published: May 29, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00
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