Draft:Women In Bangladesh
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Despite strides towards gender equality, women in Bangladesh face significant hurdles in achieving higher education and leadership positions. Early marriage, domestic violence, and patriarchal norms remain major obstacles, impacting their ability to participate actively in society[1]. Recent years have shown progress in bridging the gender gap in access to education, as evidenced by equal enrollment rates at the primary and secondary levels. However, a concerning increase in dropouts, particularly among girls at higher grades, necessitates further investigation and action. Traditional views often prioritize boys' education and see higher education for girls as unnecessary, especially with the expectation of early marriage and motherhood.[2]
It has been suggested that this page be merged with Women in Bangladesh. (Discuss) Proposed since April 2024. |
Child marriage remains a critical issue, although Bangladeshi law sets the minimum marriage age at 18 for girls and 21 for boys, instances of underage marriage persist, particularly for girls[1]. This often has detrimental consequences for their educational opportunities, as they transition to domestic responsibilities within their in-laws' home. In such cases, pursuing further education frequently necessitates reliance on the economic and emotional support of their husband and family. Violence against women is another pervassive issue, with over 80% of married women experiencing some form of abuse by their husbands[3]. This creates a climate of fear and restricts women's agencies to pursue education and careers.
Despite constitutional guarantees and policy efforts, women's representation in leadership positions remains low[4]. This is evident in the civil service, where quotas exist but very few women reach the topmost positions. Cultural barriers and male dominance within bureaucracy create an unsupportive environment for women's career advancement[5].