Empowerment
of women in Bangladesh
Introduction
Bangladesh
is a developing country half of the total population is women whose
socio-economic condition is very low. Struggle for modernity, tradition,
men-women equality, social dignity, security and for multilateral pressure the
position of women in the family is very complex. Here men and women do not
participate in social development is not equal. Many indoor and outdoor
activities of women are not treated as work. The devaluation of women labor in labor
market also hinders women right. But in market economy women of Bangladesh are
always facing new challenges. Though women work in educational institution,
medical, factories, police, even in the uneven areas, women are neglected,
tortured and persecuted. In the society of gender disparity it is difficult for
women to stay parallel and enjoy the right of equal participant. All these
should be discussed here.
Argument
Half
of the total population is women. No socio-economic, political and cultural
development is possible without the empowerment of women. So, identifying the
hindrance of women empowerment in my research work to take steps to solve the
problems is the main purpose of my research work.
Objectives
of the study.
i.
To understand the importance about the
role of women in the development of the society
ii.
What are the obstacles and the causes of obstacles.
iii.
To know about the hindrance women face in the field of work.
iv
To know social attitude towards women independence
Scope
of Term paper
The
dignity of women, the role of women in the field of socio-economicand political
development and many other problems of women are discussed.
Research
Methodology
Secondary
data method is applied here.
Definition
Empowerment
of women: Empowerment of women is such a process which controlling women
rights, challenges gender disparity in parental and social institutions.
Socio
economic Condition: The socio-economic condition refers to the social dignity,
educational qualifications, family marriage system, mother, social value,
occupation salary, wealth etc.
Review
of Literature
It
is not possible to know whether any work was done before regarding this. But
besides journals, papers, I have taken help from the books such as women
empowerment Politics by Salina Hosain and Masuduzzaman.
Limitations
Since
Empowerment of women in Bangladesh is a very important matter, it is very
difficult to prepare such an research work. In spite of many limitations the
research work has been prepared. The limitations some –
(i)
It is difficult to mediate over the matter for want of time because such an
important work requires a lot of time.
(ii)
Data is collected from secondary level, not from primary level.
(iii)
Besides, insufficiency of computer, lab, e-mail also extents problem to
collect proper data.
The
socio-economic Condition of Women
Social
Dignity
Most
of the women in Bangladesh believe in erotic social value and superstition. In
this condition women are always dependent on men. From the early childhood
female child is neglected. The birth of male child is welcome on the other hand
that of female child is considered as a curse. When the female child is growing
up, she realize that she is born to serve the female, she is a curse for the
society or family and the social environment enhances her idea and for this men
use social superstition, religious sentiment, ignorance’s and weakness and
helplessness of women.
Women
have to lead lower life in the male dominated society. Another cause of it is
that mantis the wage earners, so in social attitude the role of women is not
considered important as men’s. In the case of lower social dignity of women.
Borhan Uddin Zahangir and Zarina Rahman have mentioned two features. One is
parental and another is social inequality. The first origin the familial sector
and the 2nd one is the sub ordinate rich sector. And mutuality between these
two sectors have made the women homesick.
There
is another cause behind the less dignity of women in Bangladesh age. Marriage
system, relationship and mother. The right of women in the case of marriage is
negative. The father becomes the decision maker and mother’s decision is always
neglected. The registry, demand of bride, witness etc are compulsory. If the
marriage is not registered, it is illegal. Since there are double rules in the
society, the women can’t take action when they are divorced. The agreement in
marriage in Islam is equal but in practical, It is not equal. The men have the
right to divorce, keep four wives at a time. Here women are not safe they are
inferior to men.
The
Economic condition of women
The
main aspect of women empowerment is the equal rights of women in the working
field. From the ancient period women were engaged in household chores preparing
field sowing seeds, weddings harvesting and many other activities. The picture
of invisible contribution of women was shown in the moderate National income in
1993. According to this statistics, the production which is produced and used
in house is it worth of 16 trillion dollar. Of them 10% – 35% production is
produced in houses by women which does not need to pay. In 1990 it is stated in
a statistics if the activities of women in the family are counted and added to
the national income, the total income of the world increases form 20% to 30%.
But these activities of women are not granted. Here the annual and daily
activities of rural women granted by UNICEF in 1991 and Department Female
affair in 1994 are shown below.
Years
of Rural Women in Bangladesh
Month
|
Activities
|
Baishakh (Apr 15-May 14)
|
Bringing
soil form pond,
cultivating vegetables watering, weeding, making of mango pickle.
|
Jaistha (15 May – 14 June)
|
Making mango pickles, cultivation
of curry
|
Ashair (June 15 -July 14)
|
Fishing, knitting,
produce fish, knitting katha and clothes, rope of
jute etc.
|
Shrabon (1 5 July- August 1
4)
|
Harvesting, cleaning, boiling
rice, basking drying straw for cows
and piling and making cold earth& other reproductive
work
|
Vadro (August 15-Sep.l4)
|
Cleaning wet place and mushroom of
after flood, preparing hearth and box for paddy, products from jute.
|
Assin (Sep.l6-Oct. 15) and Kartik
(Sep. 14-Dec.l4)
|
Going
to father’s house, cultivating vegetables
and pulse.
|
Agrohayon
(Nov. 15-Dec.14)
|
Husking, collecting rice making
fried rice
|
Poush (Dec. 15- 14 January)
|
Cakes of new rice and chira and
muri
|
Magh (15 January- 14 Feb.)
|
Dat juice, gur making and making
cakes
|
Falgun (Feb.l5-March 14)
|
Decoration of houses, making floor
high and ariping, cultivating vegetables, uproot mastered etc.
|
Chaitra (March 15-14 Apr.)
|
Cleaning
houses and repairing, sowingVegetables making fans of
plum tree.
|
At dawn
|
Getting up, washing hands and
face, pray, feeding domestic animals, drawing goats out, sweeping yards,
washing paltes and jars feeding husband and children, having breakfast,
fetching water, cleaning. diving palace giving grass to cows. making,
collecting feales.
|
Month
|
Activities
|
Morning/ Midday
|
Boiling rice, hasking, dusting
spices, brushing rice, cooking, feeding husband and children eating,
washing plate, jar etc.
|
Afternoon/ Evening
|
Knitting kantha and nets gringing
domestic animals, and feeding the and setting in hte cow-room making food and
bringing ducks and hens.
|
Night
|
Making bed, lying children, eating
cleaning kitchen, closing door, going to bed.
|
The
labour of women is considered as a strong weapon to alleviate poverty in the
whole world. At present a major part of total population is women who work
outside the homes. According to the report by BBS (1995-96) the number of
workingwomen is 21 million is 38.1% of the total labour. Now women labours are
working in medical sciences, teacher, nurse, health, family planning,
including, garments factory, tea factory, mine, manufacturing Intention Labour.
Organization works form 1951 to present time:
- Equal Wage Convention 1951
- Discriminatory Service convention 1959
- Social rules Convention 1962
- Investment rule Convention 1964
- Education leave Convention along with wage 1948
Human
Society Development convention was taken such steps. Women are lagging behind
in the field of govt. and non-govt. administrate duties. In our country
appointment of women judge was unlawful and eradicating that problem women
judge was appointed after 1975 and at present out of 60 judges two judge is
woman in the Supreme court of Bangladesh.
In
BCS (Gen.) woman was appointed first in 1989 and in administration in 2000. And
women polic super was appointed few years ago. Women have been recently appointed
in Armed medical core. Even women lag behind in BCS.
Besides
less wage want of service and security disparity of working hours, leave, etc.
one the obstacles in the ways of women. Though the garments factories are fault
on the basis on women labour it is found that 20% women work 12 hours daily on
30% women work 13 hours daily. Besides women workers suffer from insecurity of
commission and way to garments, weekly leaves etc.
Wages
discrimination
It
can be easily said that the disparity between men and women workers is severe.
Women get less wages for gender discrimination, social attitude and value in
comparison of man. Women complete the incomplete products produced by man. But
this work is considered as productive labour in the man dominated society. The
tendency of the average wage of the women workers is given in the table below.
Table-1
Average wage of agriculture labour(1974-2000)
Year
|
Average wage ratio
|
Percentage
|
|
Women
|
Men
|
||
1973-74
|
3.23
|
6.89
|
48
|
1981-82
|
6.75
|
13.79
|
48
|
1984-85
|
11.85
|
24.54
|
48
|
1989
|
21.41
|
25.80
|
83
|
1999
|
89.0
|
01.63
|
80
|
2000
|
86.0
|
61.00
|
75
|
Area
of professional working women
In
the field of profession it is mentionable that the participation of women in
the important sectors is few. Even there is no women in some sectors. On the
other hand the number of women in the work which has no value, is satisfactory.
It is found that in the Adam sumariof 1981, 75% women are engaged in household
choruses. The position of men and women according to profession is shown below.
Persons related to work (thousand)
|
|||
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
|
1 . Professions related to
technical works
|
1469
|
1129
|
240
|
2. Related to
medical, dental &animal treatment
|
249
|
227
|
21
|
3. Statistics and
mathematicians
|
1
|
1
|
–
|
4. Economists
|
12
|
11
|
1
|
5. Administrators and
other officials
|
294
|
218
|
16
|
6. In transportation
|
218
|
218
|
–
|
7. Related to household activities
|
846
|
223
|
623
|
8. Writers & Reporters
|
12
|
11
|
1
|
It
is worth mentioning that the number of male workers is greater than female
one’s on all spheres with some exceptions like household activities where
626,000 female workers out of 846000 lake part. Its main cause is that
remuneration in household activities in less and these places have not yet been
identified as work places.
Property
and Women
The
causes of poor condition of women are the traditional heritance system and
ownership of properties. In Muslim society a female child gets less share of
her father’s property than a male child and in absence of the husband, the wife
gets less them her children. This inheritance system recognized by the religion
degrades the women in male dominated society.
Besides,
the persons who hold more properties, have more power to take decision is any
matter. In rural society the land lords hold the power society and only they
take any decision. In Bangladesh the land and its management belong to the
male, not to the female, which makes the men inheritors, Power is such a stuff
which is always exercised on the weak. In a family the husband exercises his
power on the wife and the children which is the main theme of the male
dominated society.
Educational
Status
Education
is one of the basic elements of man to develop personality, sense of
responsibility, sustaining rights, civic sense and especially national progress.
But in the field of education women of Bangladesh lag behind men. In the field
of national educational the percentage of women education is rather
frustrating, Compared to man. It is true that all the development programs in
Bangladesh included women on priority basis and still they are being given
priority but they are found half of the male in education even after liberation
period. This disparity starts in the primary level and it increases in higher
education. The admission ratio in different seven Universities was 77.20:22.80
including male and female students in 1999. In different program primary
education was declared compulsory and in order to less the difference between
male and female, female education was given more importance.
Despite
this, it was seen in 1995 that of the total students, 63% were male and 37%
were female. It is noteworthy that at present 95% students who are eligible to
go to schools are admitted in primary schools and on completion of primary
education 38% drop out of it. Here is a data of drop out in primary level in
percent.
Class
|
Boys
|
Girls
|
I
|
2.2
|
4.9
|
II
|
3.7
|
4.9
|
III
|
7.9
|
7.8
|
IV
|
6.9
|
7.3
|
V
|
9.7
|
22.8
|
Torture
on Women in Bangladesh
Men
want to keep the women obedient to them by inflicting both mental and physical
torture on them. For this reason the women have been confined in four walls. In
our country their labour receive no wages and they cannot decide on any matter
Because of extreme father domination and religious superstitions, Bengali women
of this sub-continent are tortured in different ways. This tradition have been
going on for thousands of years. In modern times the vastness and varieties of
tortures on women are so great that it should be termed as “Crime against
women” instead of calling it “Torture on women “or” attack on women”.
Despite
hard to harder laws or harsh warnings women of this country fall a victim to
harassment and torture.
Physical
torture, rape, ‘fotoabazi’, acid throwing and different types of sexual
harassment and blackmailing have always kept the Bangla women worried and
shrunk.
The
vastness of tortures on women is far greater in rural areas then in towards and
in root level women than in educated women. Many incidents do not come into
light for the threat of political leaders or for the fear of family prestige.
Although there are strict laws and warnings form this law makers of the
government and there is no lack of good well to prevent tortures on women, day
by day tortures on women have been increasing.
According
to a data from the Police Head Quarter the incidents of torture on women were
5843. Up to 2001, in five years totally 45,443 tortures on women took place
among which there were 14128 rape case, 649 acid throwing, 1293 seriously
injured and 29036 casualties. It can be asserted that there are many instances
of tortures on women which have not be included in the police diary.
Religious
fanaticism and misinterpretation of religion have been used in this
subcontinent for a long time to continue the women folk in four walls by the
advisers (fotoabaz) of religion. These incidents being to much horrible, on 1
January, 2001 high court Division of the Supreme Court declared all types of
fotoas illegal. Besides rape and fotoabazi, the women folk of this country are
victim of various types of tortures like acid throwing and dowry, the criminals
are finding out new ways and means and applying them in reality.
Suicide
for being raped, fotoabazi and new device of tortures or women and black
mailing have briefly been discussed here. It may be mentioned that these
writings were published in “The Jonokantha” a for lingt magazine. Because of
financial insolvency women feel insecured. Patriarchal social system do not encourage
women empowerment. The suffering women bear all types of torture because of
having no power.
Women
of Bangladesh:
Women
of our country could not advance as a result of supers tition and blindness to
religion deeply rooted in the society. Women were kept at home building the
shadowy wall in every sphere of life. Having same quality women are still
lagging behind. Although the Queen rules over the king in reality, women have
been made completely dependent on men. They have been only taught how to cook,
wash dishes and do all the household chores. Religion has been used as a weapon
to wash their brain. It is said that a will can deserve heaven under the feet
of men. They will have to digest everythingin spite of all the illegal works
done by husbands.
Some
people have deviated from religion and explain religion from then own point of
view. They push the women into inhuman suffering. Women are to bear the inhuman
torture because of their narrow out took. Inspite of being 50% of the total
population, only 7% – 8% can enjoy liberty, equity and justice in the male
dominated society. There is no disparity between east and west in respect of
women torture. In this respect all men are equal to torture the women.
Rights
of women
In
the constitution of the people’s republic of Bangladesh some fundamental rights
for women are :
Article
10. : Steps shall be taken to ensure participation of women in all spheres of
national life.
Article
28(2) : women shall have equal rights with men in all spheres of the state
& of public life.
Article
28(4): Nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making special
provision infavor of women children or for the advancement of any
backward section of citizens.
In
a recent study it is found that 12% enjoy human rights fully, 8% enjoy minimum
human rights, 7.8% can enjoy equal rights in human activities and 7.6% can
enjoy open freedom.
What steps to be taken to ensure their human right:
- To take law full steps
- To expand Education
- To raise consciousness
- To achieve economic solvency
- To get equal phase in their father’s property.
From
this study it is noticed that all women opine to take the shelter of law,
correct the law, raise consciousness of their rights and responsibilities,
provide more opportunities, continue campaign, ensure equal share of property,
express rights of freedom, and avoid fundamentalists and so on.
Women
and law of Bangladesh:
Some
laws have been introduced to protect the women rights, injustice made to then
and those are still in action. Those are dowry opposing act 1980 (Reach field
in 1982). In this law punishment has been imposed directly or indirectly for
receiving and giving dowry. Under this law one year jail may be offered on Tk.
5000 fine or both applicable.
For
killing inhumanly death or life long joint is offered. Women and Children
Oppression curbing act 2000 makes the base of protecting women rights. Under
this law hijacking raping, killing after this law hijacking raping, killing
after raping, raping by turn, in case of raping by police law has been make for
offering death centaur. Under this law sexual harassment is a punishable
offence
Acid
crime act:
In
this act, rowing of acid is considered to be on offense of being incapable of
bail and non-compromising. In case of death by acid throwing, the convicted
person will be offered death sentence of life long jail with one lakh money as
compensation. People have expressed different views for and against this law.
An organization was formed to raise protest against all sorts of disparity
against women.
Women
and Children oppression act 1995
In
application of this law, time of investigation and judgement is determined. In
case on belong of judgement and prolonging the verdict, investigating officer
will be bitable for reflecting duties and responsibilities. As a result this
act may lessen the prolonging settlement of the case.
According
to women and children oppression act 1995 and 2000 the matter related to
increase the duration of investigation of the verdict is under the judgement of
direct tribunal. So the matter of increasing time is under the trial. In this
case there is a great possibility to dissolve the process of trail very soon.
If
the criminal is earning member, the compensation rule can be applicable: The
traditional tendency to harass the oppose of litigation is the additional
tendency of our society. Sometimes false litigation is file as a result of the
feature created by guardian or the ruling class people.
Under
this act Judiciary facilities are provided in a confined resume. In that case
no person will remain present there except the concerned persons. If necessary
the judge can conduct the judgement either in the court or outside the court.
Under this act the victims are being greatly benefited.
According
to women and children curbing act 2000 in case of attempt to death or rape by
poisonous or burning elements or in both cases, it will be considered to be
serious offense.
Analysis
of Data, Information and Findings
Women
of Bangladesh and politics:
As
human resource, stock reserve labor forces if women remain away’ from total
development and political process, desired development is never possible. So,
women are half of the total population they should be involved in all state
affairs to enhance the socio-economic development of the country. Women are the
victims of disparity by any means relating education, health, employment
opportunity, lawful right, humanistic treatment, citizenship right and so on.
Poverty is one of the most important reasons for the women oppression. Recently
United Nations Organization in a study women participation, in democratic
process and empowerment, equality have been encouraged for fundamental issues.
Women
representative rights is undeniable. Secondly poor presence or the women in
political arena is identified for their backwardness. Actually if their
participation is not proper, they are deprived of legal rights.
We
describe in detail desks wards as what we Gird in proceeding to analysis the
total situation of the research work.
Table-2
Participation of women in National Election (MP)
Year of Election
|
Percentage of Women
Candidate
|
1973
|
0.3
|
1979
|
0.9
|
1986
|
1.3
|
1988
|
0.7
|
1991
|
1.5
|
1996
|
1.9
|
2001
|
2.0
|
Table-3
The numbers and percentage of women ministers at different times in
Administration
|
Number of total Ministers
|
Number of total home
minister
|
Percentage
|
1072-75
|
50
|
2
|
4
|
1979-82
|
101
|
6
|
6
|
1982-90
|
133
|
4
|
3
|
1991-96
|
39
|
3
|
5
|
1996-01
|
38
|
4
|
10.52
|
2001-06
|
60
|
4
|
7
|
Source:
Cabinet Division, Govt. of Bangladesh.
Women
and Administration
Among
the administrative cadres, BCS admin stands top considering aristocracy. They
are the propelling power of stately affairs. Very few women affaires are at
this cadre presently. Since 1998, no women was in secretary level in the serve
centre of power – Secretariat. Recently women are getting promotion in
different state organizations including ministry of women and child affairs.
Important national organization, namely UGC, Election commission is devoid of
women. There are only two women ambassador. There are two women justice in
Supreme Court High Division.
Table-4:
The participation
and percentage of women at higher
administration in Bangladesh.
Description
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Percentage
|
Secretarial
|
48
|
1
|
49
|
2
7
|
Additional Secretarial
|
54
|
1
|
55
|
2
|
Join Secretary
|
271
|
5
|
276
|
1.5
|
Deputy Secretary
|
552
|
7
|
559
|
1.1
|
Senior Assistant Secretary
|
2014
|
200
|
2214
|
9.0
|
Assistant Secretary
|
957
|
160
|
1117
|
14.3
|
Total
|
3996
|
374
|
4369
|
8.5
|
Source:
Establish Ministry 2000
Steps
in women empowerment:
Bangladesh
government is taking different kinds of steps to empower the women. Such as,
quota system, including women in local government by ratio system, scholarship
system in education for women. In parliament 45 reserved seats are for women
members, in primary sector 60% women are recruited as teacher.
In
garment sector many women are working and being solvent. By micro-credit system
many women are bringing economical solvency in their family. BRDB besides
Grameen Bank, Proshika, Asha etc, non-government organizations are playing role
in the development of women from rural area. In this way these institutions
helps in women empowerment in Bangladesh.
Research
findings
We
describe in detail downwards on what we find in proceeding to analysis the
total situation of the research work.
(1)
Women representation is very limited in different level of government especially
in ministries.
(2)
Regularly women in mass representative organizations is scarcely as candidates.
(3)
Women does not exercise the power of decision making in every sphere of
politics and bureaucracy.
(4)
Different wage rate for women.
(5)
We keep a great role in garments sector as wager.
(6)
They are playing important roles in education
(7)
Their participation in politics are increasing
(8)
The women are being solvent by the opportunity of micro credit.
Recommendations
1.
Women should participate more and more in politic to establish their rights in
politics.
2.
The working field of women should be extended to increase the economic power of
women.
3.
Social attitude towards men and women should be changed.
Through social movement. Along with political parties women organizations
should come forward along for this
4.
The govt. should be cordial and active to implement the effective steps in the
rules and regulation committee.
5.
Women should be appointed in the higher administration with post of cabinet
secretary and in the ministry and department.
6.
To eradicate the disparity of men- women wage reformation in wage distribution
is necessary.
7.
Women workers can’t protest against the injustice of the higher authority for
lack of the help of law.
8.
Political and lawful rights of women should be included in the education
syllabus.
9.
All the international agreements against women
persecution including extinction of all discriminatory activities against women
should be implemented fully or to take steps to implement.
10.
Reserve seat for women should be maintained for UP level to all sectors.
11.They
should not be nominated for reserve seat, rather should be elected directly.
12. We
should behave with the female child equally in the house and outside the house
and the positive aspect of female child should be shown.