Empowerment of Women in Bangladesh

The empowerment of women means giving women power and opportunity to the
powerless so that they can join the workforce and contribute to the family income and
influence the family and social affairs. It is an important concept for both global and
national development. The empowerment of women should be ensured at all levels of
the state administration. Women's empowerment is a must if we want to make real
progress.

In the past women were confined within the four walls. They were kept away from out
of home productive work. The hearth became their workplace. So, cooking, cleaning,
washing, giving birth and rearing children became their jobs. Men became the wage
earners and all other outdoor activities were their responsibilities. It is unfortunate but
true that women are still lagging behind in Bangladesh. They are deprived of enjoying
freedom. Throughout their life they have to remain dependent on men.

There are many reasons behind the poor status of women in Bangladesh. Among them
social and religious prejudices and customs are noteworthy. All these are belittling their
position and dignity. Still the poor parents in our country think that the birth of a girl
child will add to their sufferings. Instead of sending her to school, she is married off in
her tender age. In her in-law’s house she is not treated well and she is often tortured
and mistreated by her husband and others for dowry.

We must not forget that women are as important as men in society. About half of our
total population is women. So, it cannot be denied that they too possess equal rights
and duties as men. They also have ability and if they are given opportunity, they can
also work like men. It is not possible for a nation to make real progress by keeping aloof
a half of its total population. So, there is no alternative to making women economically,
socially and politically self-reliant if we really want to upgrade their status. So, our
attitude towards women should be changed and we should work at our level best to
change their social status and financial condition.

It is true that women’s condition has changed somewhat during the last few decades.
At present they are playing important roles in all spheres of life. They have come out
of their four walls and are working hand in hand with men in all spheres of life. The
most important factor for women empowerment is education. Our present government
has taken proper steps in this regard. It has declared female education free up to class
12. They should be made self-reliant by imparting to them proper knowledge and
employment.

However, at any cost we must make our women conscious of the fact that they have
the potentiality to participate in the socio-economic development of the country. If we
want to keep pace with the challenge of the new millennium, we must ensure the
participation of our women in all development work. Besides, we have to ensure their
participation in local bodies and state politics. We should remember that the
empowerment of women is a must to build up a happy and prosperous society.