Empowerment, 2015, Vol. 22, p.

63-78

Role of National Women Development Policy in Women

Empowerment of Bangladesh: Problems and Prospects
Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah*
Subarna Shirin**

Introduction
Women empowerment is one of those much discussed issues in the present world. It is
regarded on a crucial global agenda in the United States Human Development Report as
well as in the UN. This is because women around the world are found to be oppressed,
suppressed, tortured, victimized and are treated as the second class citizens. They are
taken to be inferior to men. But in fact, they constitute half of the world's total population
and they represent half of the world's human resources and potentials. So the
development of any country is quite impossible ignoring half of its human resources- the
women. They are important assets like those of men. To be prosperous, a country would
take half of the time if women are involved in the development activities. So empowering
women is a priority issue to accelerate a country's progress (Rabbani, 2004). Women
empowerment is a comprehensive and multidimensional term. It conveys different
meanings to different people. However the term 'empowerment' was first used in 1972
by Paolo Freire (Freire, 1972). 'Women Empowerment' slogan was first uttered in the
World Women Conference held in Mexico in 1975. It has been said about empowerment
that 'Empowerment is like obscenity, you do not know how to define it, but you know
when you see it UNRISD (1999).' Empowerment is a process wherein the powerless or
disempowered gain power. Empowerment redistributes power from the powerful to the
powerless. So the term empowerment contains in the word 'power' which means the
skill, physical ability, opportunity or authority to do something. Empowerment means
power and authority. So by women empowerment we mean giving power and authority to
women to take decision in matters relating to themselves. According to Baron (1984),
"Women empowerment is bringing women who are outside the decision making process
into it". This definition emphasizes on participation of women in decision making in all
spheres.
Women empowerment is an active, multidimensional process (Figure 1) which enables
women to influence and participate in decisions that directly or indirectly affect their life
and empowers them in all spheres of life.

* Assistant Professor, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1205.
** Senior Lecturer, Department of English, ASA University Bangladesh, Dhaka.
64 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subarna Shirin

Moreover, women empowerment means providing the women with the social, political,
cultural and economic rights by which the status of women could be equal to that of men
in the society. It can be defined as those processes where women take control and
ownership of their lives. It also includes positive changes of women in social, economic,
political and psychological aspects.
Figure-1:Dimension of Women Empowerment

Social Economic

Women
Empowerment

Cultural Political

Rationale of the Study

According to Bangladesh census report 2011, the ratio of men and women in Bangladesh
is 103:100 and the total number of women is 7.47 crore whereas the number of men is
7.49 crore (BBS, 2011). Though women represent half of the population but they are not
free from various social, political, economic and cultural barriers. They are being tortured
not only in family but also in all areas of social crimes such as rape, dowry, acid
throwing, molestation, beaten to death, suffocation to death, insecurity at working place
and sexual harassment. These are some common matters in women's life in Bangladesh.
But they have rights as human being to live with freedom and dignity. Although the
situation is better in urban areas than rural ones but that is very little to be satisfied with.
Therefore to make the development meaningful our women should be empowered in the
true sense of the term, hi this context, the present study attempts to give a comprehensive
picture of women empowerment in different sectors of Bangladesh.
This study will also help Non-Government, Government and voluntary organizations to
develop realistic programs for providing information about the nature of women
development. The main rationale of the study is to encourage people to protest violence
against women and also to make them aware of the present situation of women
development. This will eventually create more opportunities for women to get
Role of National Women Development Policy in Women Empowerment of Bangladesh: 65

empowered. Furthermore, since women development policy needs huge circulation

among the mass, the study findings will be useful in having a comprehensive picture of
women empowerment in different sectors of Bangladesh. Besides, it will help the GO and
NGOs in formulating effective initiatives while providing essential services to meet the
challenges of women empowerment in Bangladesh and other developing countries as
well.
Objectives of the Study
This study is an endeavor to analyze the role of National Women Development Policy-
2011 in women empowerment of Bangladesh. With this end in view the following are the
specific objectives of this study:
a). To provide conceptual clarification of women empowerment and the historical
background of women development policy in Bangladesh;
b). To narrate the objectives, implementation mechanisms, and strategies of National
Women Development Policy,
c). To explore the real situation of women empowerment in different sectors of
Bangladesh; and
d). Finally, to identify the current challenges of women empowerment along with
recommendations for ensuring effective implementation of National Women
Development Policy-2011 in women empowerment of Bangladesh.
Methodology of the Study
While preparing this paper, a content analysis from different secondary resources has
been used. Descriptive and historical methods have also been consulted. Secondary data
and information were collected from existing literature of both local and international
sources. It covered referred journals, research papers, websites as well as various
published and unpublished research materials on the subject.
Background of Women Development Policy in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world that has a land area
of only 1, 47, 570 square kilometers with a population of approximately 160 million people.
The density of population in Bangladesh is 1015 people per square kilometer (BBS, 2011).
For administrative purpose the country is divided into 7 divisions, 64 districts and 496
Upazilas. Of this total population, Muslims constitute almost 90 percent, whereas Hindus
occupy about 9 percent and the followers of other religion hold about 1 percent
respectively. Agriculture is the dominant sector of the economy occupying 80 percent of the
total population contributing 25 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Bangladesh has
made considerable progress in reducing poverty over the last few decades.
66 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subarna Shirin

The national policy for the advancement of women was at first adopted in 1997 and it
included commitments to eliminate discrimination against women and girls in all spheres
promoting women equality in areas of education and training, health and nutrition,
housing and shelter, political empowerment public administration and the economy. A
national Action Plan for implementing the policy as well as meeting commitments of the
Beijing Platform for Action was approved in 1998. Regular monitoring of the NAP is the
responsibility of the women Development Implementation and Evaluation Committee
headed by the Ministry of Children and Women Affairs (MOCWA). Women
Development policy was amended in 2004 and in 2008 respectively. The present
government has declared, approved and amended the National Women Development
Policy in 2011.
Objectives, Implementation Mechanisms and Strategies of National Women
Development PoIicy-2011
Objectives of National Women Development Policy
The Objectives of National Women Development Policy are as follows (GoB, 2011):
a. To establish equal rights of men and women in areas of state and public life in the
light of the constitution of Bangladesh;
b. to ensure security and safety of women in all areas of state, social and family life;
c. To ensure socio-economic, political, administrative and legal empowerment;
d. To establish human rights of women;
e. To ensure full and equal participation of women in the mainstream socio-economic
development;
f. To bring up women as educated and skilled human resources;
g. To deliver the women from the curse of poverty;
h. To remove existing male-female disparities;
i. To give appropriate recognition to women's contribution in socio-economic areas;
j. To eliminate all forms of abuse of women and female children;
k. To eliminate discrimination to women and female children;
1. To establish gender equality in politics, administration and other areas of activity,
socio-economic activity, education, culture, sports and in all areas of family life;
m. To innovate and import technology favoring the interest of women and prohibit anti-
women technologies;
n. To ensure taking appropriate steps to ensure sound health and nutrition of the women;
Role of National Women Development Policy in Women Empowerment of Bangladesh: 67

o. To ensure priority of women in provision for proper shelter and housing;

p. To arrange rehabilitation of the women affected in natural calamities and armed
conflicts;
q. To extend overall assistance to ensure rights of the disabled women and women
belonging to the smaller ethnic groups;
r. To arrange safety of the widowed aged, guardian less, divorced, unmarried and
childless women;
s. To reflect gender perspective in the mass media including positive image of the
women and female children;
t. To assist in flourishing the talented and genius women of their creative potentials;
u. To provide necessary support services for development of women;
v. To provide overall assistance in ensuring the growth of women entrepreneurs.
Implementation Mechanism
The implementation mechanisms of National Women Development Policy are as follows:
National Level: The Role of MOWCA
One of the major responsibilities of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is to
make policies aiming at the development of women under the rules of business of the
government. As part of discharging its functions, the ministry has formulated National
Women Development Policy collaborating with all the concerned ministries,
organizations and NGOs in the light of ensuring the fundamental rights of women that
are recognized in the constitution, international charters i.e. CEDAW, CRC, Beijing
Declaration and Plan of Work.
For the welfare of the women and children, the ministry has taken up programs
concerning the legal and social rights of the women and children. Such other programs
include job creation and women's empowerment, the program of National Women and
Children Council, co-ordination of WID Focal Program, coordination of the activity of
the women's organizations and civil society, registration and regulation of voluntary
women's associations, program concerning prevention of woman and child abuse,
observance of different international days, celebration of the birth anniversary of Begum
Rokeya, awarding Rokeya Medal and continuing communications with international
organizations including Unicef.
Field Level: District and Upazila Levels
The activity/program of the district level administration, Zilla Parishad, Municipality,
local government, office of the concerned ministry shall be co-ordinated and progress
68 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subarna Shirin

of women development program needs to be reviewed for advancement and

empowerment of the women. District Women Affairs Officer, Upazilla Women Affairs
Officer in co-ordination with other concerned officials shall discharge their
responsibilities in implementation of all the programs undertaken for the development
of women.
Grass root Level
At the grass root levels i.e. in village and union level women shall be organized as self
sustained group. If strengthened, these groups should be transformed into a registered
organization under different government organizations. Tapping resources from the GO
and NGO sources, banks, other financial institutions, and with an intimate relationship of
these organization with Union Parishad, Upazilla Parishad, Zilla Parishad, Municipality
and City Corporation, those organizations shall establish and co-ordinate their activities.
Over and above, the inclusion of local development perspectives of all the grass root
organizations shall be encouraged and given assistance.
Co-operation between the GO and NGOs
There are links of co-operation between the GO and NGOs starting from the grass root
levels to national level for implementation of the women development policy. The private
sector and voluntary institutions shall extend appropriate and timely assistance from the
government. The give and take through regular contacts and meetings and workshops
shall continue between Go and NGOs. In some areas, women development program can
take place under public-private joint partnership.
Empowerment of Women and International Co-operation
International, regional and sub-regional co-operation shall be encouraged through
bilateral and multilateral financial and technical co-operation and exchanges of
experience and technology aimed at empowerment of women.
Strategies of National Women Development Policy
The strategies of national women development policy 2011 are given below:
a. All the ministries will take responsibilities to implement national women development
policy.
b. All the ministries will focus on this sector so that equal rights of women are
established.
c. There will be a time limit to implement this policy.
d. The process of these programs will be reviewed from time to time.
e. Trained personnel need to be recruited for planning and programming.
"f. There will be some awareness raising programs. These programs include (1) Anti-
women laws need to be removed; (2) Awareness of different ministries and
Role of National Women Development Policy in Women Empowerment of Bangladesh: 69

government officials; (3) Inclusion of women related subjects in the text books
etc.
g. Law enforcing organizations, justice department, government and non-governmental
organizations should pay special attention to the programs,
h. To develop the women, women harassment protection programs must be imposed on
focused. Different organizations should come forwards with a view to implementing
these programs.
Application of National Women Development Policy-2011 for Women
Empowerment in Bangladesh
Women empowerment is a progressive concept. Experts have observed that development
is directly connected to socio-economic issues like gender equality and women
empowerment. Fortunately Bangladesh government has realized the fact that the country
can never develop until and unless women who constitute half of the country's
population are given a fair chance to contribute to the development activities.
Accordingly, the government has adopted and enacted women development policies at
different times to establish gender equality and women empowerment and achieved
remarkable progress in a very short time. The adoption of the National Women
Development Policy-2011 is the subsequent result of Bangladesh government in women
welfare.
Women and National Development Plan Strategies
The Sixth Five Year Plan (2011-2015) in addressing gender based discrimination will
follow a mutual approach. First, gender will be integrated into all sectoral interventions.
Secondly, attention will be given to remove all policy and social biases against women
with a view to ensuring gender equality as enshrined in the National Constitution.
The vision for women's advancement and rights is to create a society where man and
women will have equal opportunities and enjoy all fundamental rights on an equal basis.
To achieve this vision, the mission is to ensure women's advancement and rights in
activities of all sectors of the country.
For this, the main strategies and policies include different legal frameworks, productive
employment, enabling environment, elimination of female health and education
disparities. In addition to this, priority is to be given to women in social protection
programs, political empowerment and participation. This will obviously help in
addressing violence against women, gender mainstreaming, integrating gender issues in
planning and budgetary process, strengthening female participation in economic decision
making, addressing ethnic dimension of women, promoting public image of women,
disability and gender issues.
70 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subarna Shirin

Initiatives for Ensuring Women Empowerment

Name of the Ministry Taken Initiatives
To facilitate mainstreaming of women in agricultural activities through
Ministry of Agriculture creation of sustainable and comprehensive intuitions and programs
addressing their needs and interests.
Ministry of Education Taken steps to provide stipend and exempt tuition fees for the girls in
(MoE) rural areas for reducing gender gap in secondary school enrollment.
Ministry of Primary andThe Ministry undertook compulsory primary education, food for
Mass Education education, stipend program, and social mobilization program to
(MoPME) encourage guardians to send their girl child to the school.
Has introduced a strategic framework for male involvement in the
reproductive health and emphasized the need for addressing the
Ministry of Health and
feminization of the HTV epidemic; it tries to ensure that HW-infected
FamilyWelfare (MoHFW)
women receive proper assistance and treatment and tries to prevent the
mother-to child transmission.
Mol is providing training on "Business Management and
Entrepreneurship" to the rural potential women entrepreneurs for
mainstreaming women in the industrial sector. BSCIC's project
Ministry of Industry "Women Entrepreneurship Development (WEDP)" is providing
(Mol) training on entrepreneurship development for self employment of
potential women. The Project "Self Employment of Rural Destitute
Women through Cottage Industries" (SERWTCI) is successful in
promoting women entrepreneurship.
Ministry of Law, Justice Provides legal assistance to women and families who are victims of
and Parliamentary Affairs violence and gender discrimination.
(MoLJPA)
All city corporations and Union Parishad have kept one third seats of
Local Government
the Commissioners for directly electing the women commissioners in
Division (LGD)
reserved seats.
The ministry runs the Mother Club under the umbrella of Rural Social
Service Programme and provides women micro-credit and skill
development training.
The ministry through the Department of Social Services is taking care
of gender balance while rehabilitating the orphans, destitute children,
Ministry of Social children with disabilities in the orphanages.
Welfare (MoSW) It has established six "Shanti Nibash," i.e. free shelter home, one in each
of the six divisional headquarters for providing lifelong health care
services, food and shelter to the aged and distressed men and women.
The ministry is distributing
Widow allowances among the widowed, deserted and destitute women and
providing old age allowances among poor men and women in equal numbers.
Source: Planning Commission, GoB, 2011.
Role of National Women Development Policy in Women Empowerment of Bangladesh: 71

Women Empowerment in Different Sectors of Bangladesh

Twenty first century is ushering in an era of new hopes and aspirations for the women-
folk. The women of Bangladesh can now look forward with pride and hope for having
some outstanding and significant moments that have taken place in the last two decades
for their all out developments. Since 1991, Bangladesh has been ruled by two female
prime ministers. At present a remarkable number of the heavy weight posts of
Bangladesh are occupied by women including the prime minister, opposition leader,
speaker etc. There are 98 female MPs (48 elected and 50 in reserved seat) in the
parliament which is about 28% of the total MPs in the parliament. Bangladesh occupies
8th position in the world standard of women's participation in political empowerment.
Bangladesh is in the 75th position among 136 countries in removing gender
discrimination which has further improved 11 steps in the last 10 years (Global Gender
Gap Report 2013). Famous economist and Nobel laureate Amarta Sen has praised
Bangladesh's performance in women empowerment. (An Uncertain Glory: India and its
Contradiction, 2013). Yet Bangladesh has many things to do. There are 87 officers at
executive level in 10 different multinational companies among whom only 14 are
women. There are only 44 women members out of 515 members of the governing bodies
of 41 banks of Bangladesh. There are only 15 female secretaries at the top administrative
posts (GoB, 2011). Women empowerments of Bangladesh in different sectors are
highlighted here as a contribution of National Women Development Policy.
Women and Education
Gender priority has been achieved in primary education. Since 1990 primary school
enrolment has increased 1.4 times from 11.9 million in 1990 to 16.7 in 2008.Secondary
education enrollment for female students has increased significantly with girl's enrolment
surpassing boys in 2000(52% for girls and 48% for boys).Special emphasis has been
given to girl child's education. Primary and secondary education is free for girls.
Provision for stipends for girls and waiver of tuition fees have resulted in increased
enrolment for girls decreasing dropout rates and early marriages. One of the eligibility
criteria for availing female stipend is to be unmarried. In order to increase women
participation in technical and vocational education, three women polytechnic institutes
have been established at three Divisional Headquarters. 23 crore books have been
distributed free of cost throughout the country both at primary and secondary levels. Two
institutions namely International Women University, Chittagong and Central Women's
University, Dhaka have been established in the country to offer higher studies and
opportunities to women (GoB, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, 2011).
Women and Health
Noticeable gains have been achieved in the area of women's health. Initiatives have been
undertaken to deliver primary health care services to rural poor women through
72 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subarna Shirin

community clinics. Special attention is being given to facilitate maternal health care
resulting in decreased maternal mortality rate. Ten Women friendly Model District
Hospitals and three upazilla (sub-district) Health Complexes has been established to treat
women and children. Maternal Health Voucher Scheme provides poor women in 35 sub-
districts vouchers package that includes TK.2000/ three anti natal checkups and a safe
delivery under the guidance of skilled birth attendant, one post natal check up and
transport cost. In addition maternity allowance is given to 88 thousand extreme poor
pregnant women for 24 months at the rate of tk.350/ per month. Maternal mortality ratio
(MMR) declined significantly from 574 in 1990 to 348 per 100,000 live births in 2008
(GoB, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, 2008).
Employment of women in Different Sectors
There is a growing trend of increased women participation in labor force. Women
participation in the labor force has increased significantly from 23.9% in 1999-2000 to
29.2% in 2005-2006.Rural women's role as agricultural workers has expanded gradually
from 25% to 34% between 2002-2003 to 2005-2006.This indicates an increase in female
labor force in agricultural sector from 7.6% in 2002-2003 to 10.11% in 2005-06. A micro
level study conducted in 2008 reveals that 88% women are engaged in agriculture related
works (GoB, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, 2011). In Garments sectors 40 lac
women are employed (Gob, Ministry of Labor and Manpower, 2010).
Social Empowerment
Increased number of women is engaged in various professions like:
a. Civil service and administration
b. Judiciary ( six women judges in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court)
c. Armed Forces, Navy and Air Forces
d. Recently women police officers have also been appointed
e. In the UN peace keeping mission women are employed in the armed forces and also
all Female Formed Police Unit (FPU) reached Haiti evidencing the support that
women participate in conflict resolution, crisis management and past conflict
rehabilitation as mandated in Security Council Resolution 1325.
f. Maternity leave for all women employed in government service has been extended to
six months.
g. Increase in the number of Day Care Centers. MoWCA runs 29 Day Care Centers to
support working mothers.
Legal Empowerment
Legislative framework is in place to combat violence against women. Bangladesh has a
number of special laws, specifically prohibiting certain forms of violence against women
Role of National Women Development Policy in Women Empowerment of Bangladesh: 73

including the Penal Code 1960; Anti-Dowry Act 1980; Prevention of Repression Against
Women and Children Act, 2000 (revised 2003), Acid Crime Control Act etc.
a. The Citizenship (amendment) Act, 2009 has been enacted by the parliament
eliminating discrimination and entitling a Bangladeshi woman to transmit citizenship to
her children.
b. Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010 has been enacted by the
parliament in October 2010 and it came to effect as law on 30lh of December, 2010.
c. Fourteenth amendment to the constitution effectuates an increase in women reserved
seats from 30 tO 45.
d. The Representation of People's (amendment) Ordinance, 2008 makes provision for a
woman to be elected to one out of two posts of vice chairpersons in each upazilla.
e. National Human Rights Commission Act, 2009 was enacted and Human Right
Commission was established having at least one woman as a member.
f. Right to Information Act, 2009 was enacted and Information Commission was
established having women as commissioners.
g. Representation of People's (amended) Ordinance, 2008 makes provision for political
parties to reserve at least 33% of all committee positions for women.
h. Recognition of mother's identity has been ensured through a Gazette Notification of
the year 2000 ensured that the name of the mother is to be included in all official
documents relating to a child. In 2009 the High Court Division directed the Education
Boards to ensure that mother's name be inserted in the school administration form
either alone or with that of the father. Mother's name must also be inserted in the
passport.
i. Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006 ensures equal pay for equal work, and increased maternity
benefits for women.
Political Empowerment
Progress of women in political arena is significant. Women occupy top positions in
political leadership in Bangladesh. At the highest decision making level there are
remarkable number of women ministers in the cabinet including the Hon'ble Prime
Minister, holding nontraditional, important portfolios. Political empowerment of women
has gained momentum in local government. The local Government (Union Parishad)
amendment act 1997 providing direct election to reserved seats for women is a milestone
in ensuring equal access of women in political power structure. As a unique strategy of
affirmative action, providing the structural framework for women's participation in
74 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subarna Shiiin

political decision making, it paved the way for women to come to the central stage of
local development for rendering new grass root leadership. Subsequently, at the Upazilla
level vice chairman's position has been marked for directly elected women.
a. Honorable Prime Minister is a woman, opposition leader, Deputy Leader of the House,
remarkable members in the Cabinet are women holding important and non- traditional
portfolios. Ministry of Agriculture, and Ministry of Women and Children Affairs,
Ministry of Primary and Mass Education demonstrate strong political will to place
women in leadership position.
b. Speaker, Whip, Chairman and members of the standing committees in parliament are
women.
c. According to the 10th national election, 48 women were directly elected as members of
parliament, the total number of women members of parliament is 98 which constitutes
28% of the total seats.
d. Under the Local Government Act, 1997 three seats have been reserved for directly
elected women as members of Union Parishad.
e. The representation of people's (amendment) ordinance provides for two elected vice-
chairmen of which one must be a woman.
f. The representation of people's (amendment) ordinance, 2008 provides that political
parties reserve at least 33% of all committee positions for women.
Social Safety Net Programs for Ultra Poor Women
a. Widow and Destitute Women Allowance
b. Maternity Allowance
c. Providing Mother Allowance for Working Women in Urban Areas
d. Vulnerable Group Development Program
Problems of Women Empowerment in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in women's advancement and rights in a
number of areas including education, participation in labor force, health and nutrition and
participation in public services, hi the area of women advancement and rights, the
government has made strong commitment and undertaken various initiatives to reduce
the gap between men and women. However, the way for achieving the desired goals of
gender equality and gender mainstreaming, some challenges still remain. These include:
a. The female headed households usually earn less income since poor women have low
earning capacity and their wages are lower than male's wages.
Role of National Women Development Policy in Women Empowerment of Bangladesh: 75

b. Women are susceptible to becoming poor when they lose the male earning member of
the family because of abandonment, divorce, or death.
c. Women's economic participation is low although increasing.
d. Violence against women is pervasive. Physical and sexual assaults including acid
throwing are common. In addition, trafficking is also reported. Poverty, dowry, early
marriage, superstition, social attitude etc are the major causes of violence against
women.
e. Women face social pressure for early marriage leading to loss of education,
employment opportunities, decision making power and early childbirth. The rates of
maternal and infant mortality are high among adolescent mothers.
f. With higher incidence of droughts, floods, cyclone and other natural calamities due to
climate change women are affected differently than men indicating the need to
increase gender sensitivity in coping mechanisms and strategies.
g. The main problem with gender governance is the implementation of the existing laws,
rules and regulations and state policy. In addition, reforms of some laws, rules and
regulations, policies and institutional mechanisms are essential to make governance
gender sensitive.
Beside these challenges, Sixth Five Year Plan (2011-2015) also pointed out some barriers
to women empowerment in Bangladesh which include:
a. Enslavement of male domination
b. Limited access to resources
c. Less scope of employment
d. Lack of education
e. Social outlook
f. Religious shackles
g. Indifference of political parties
h. Household discrimination
i. Limited participation in electoral politics
j. Purdah system etc.
Prospects of Women Empowerment in Bangladesh
To empower the women of Bangladesh, society must recognize the productive and
reproductive roles of women. We have to go a long way to achieve complete success. It
has now become an urgent need to take up some initiatives to implement the targets and
strategies that were adopted in different conferences to overcome the present situation.
76 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subama Shirin

If the government comes forward with collective efforts and sincerity, the undone tasks
can be finished within a short period. The process of empowerment could have been
successful by conscious efforts of the society which require following steps:
a. The targets of National Women Development Policy should now be re-evaluated. The
causes of failure should be analyzed and thus necessary steps should be taken to
implement those within shortest possible time. Special monitoring cell may be formed
for the purpose. Research should be done to know the causes of non-implementation.
b. The problems in education should be identified. Particularly, the government should
acknowledge the disparity in education system. The NGOs, along with the government,
should also identify the problem. The findings and observations of the government and
other organizations should be processed accordingly to reach an all-out comprehensive
action plan.
c. In Bangladesh, there is no comprehensive education policy suitable for the challenges
of the modern world. No education system can be fruitful without a workable
education policy. In absence of an education policy, the projects taken up for women
education will fail to function properly. So an education policy that can meet the
demands of the day has become a crying need.
d. Stipends for women education should be expanded up to degree level. In addition to
that women should be assisted if they want to go for business or other ventures after
completing formal education.
e. In a developing country like ours, we are suffering from the shortage of human
resources in technical and vocational areas. Women should have the privilege to enter
into such kind of education or training.
f. Women who are engaged in small business should be encouraged and inspired by
recognition. They may be given special training to enrich their skills. The working
women in small and cottage industries should be provided with large amount of loans
for the expansion of working areas.
g. Massive campaign should be carried out on the utility of education. The campaign
should be understandable and penetrative to the backward section of the society. The
understanding of women empowerment should be circulated among the women in
urban areas. Women should have proper knowledge to distinguish between privilege
and rights.
h. In Bangladesh, almost in every school there is a school management committee. But
women are hardly included in those committees. At present, the role of participation of
women in the school committees is only 15 per cent. In non-formal schools, this rate is
60 per cent. Women should be more in number in the school management committees.
Role of National Women Development Policy in Women Empowerment of Bangladesh: 77

i. Women from slums and tribal areas or backward society should have special education
that can meet their specific demands.
j. Different aspects of inter-relation between men and women should be focused through
different management structures and through implementing with innovative ideas.
Participation of women in development work and training programs should be ensured.
Quota system may be introduced for some period to increase the number of women in
such activities.
k. hi a backward society like ours, there are different types of defective ideas,
superstitions, and psychological constraints, hi some cases, even the educated people
lack modern outlook. There are historical and religious reasons behind this. Women are
often treated as subordinates to men. Proper initiatives should be taken to change the
values of our people so that everyone can treat both men and women as human beings.
Awareness programs should be there to eliminate all kinds of differences.
1. Protection for young girls and unmarried women is a must. The parents and community
leaders must have the commitment to provide the reproductive health and counseling
services.
m. The deprivation of the benefit of economic development should be removed. Measure
should be taken for building women's capacity to be effective partners with their
husband in house hold decision making and resource allocation.
n. Political parties should be committed to solve the women's barriers.
o. Providing more job facilities for women in private and public sectors should be
ensured.
p. It is needed to go beyond gender-neutral investment in health to address disparities that
directly and indirectly affect women.
q. We have to be co-operative women in the field of work.
r. Government should reform laws to give rights over joint property during marriage.
Concluding Remarks
Women of Bangladesh are a driving force for the development of Bangladesh. As the
women constitute half of the total population of Bangladesh, they can contribute a lot to
uphold the fragile economy of Bangladesh. So women of Bangladesh need to be viewed
as potential contributors to all development process. Without empowering women, the
development of the country is impossible. Empowering women might achieve fast
growth in the country's development. According to World Bank, Bangladesh will be
transformed into a middle income country within 2021. Bangladesh is one of the 11
prospective countries that will transcend countries of European Union within 2030
78 Mohammad Mainuddin Mollah, Subarna Shirin

(National Intelligence Council of USA). Therefore the active co-operation and

participation of both male and female is needed for true development of our country. In
this regard, implementation of National Women Development Policy is a must.
Implementation of this policy can ensure the empowerment and the overall development
of women in Bangladesh. So GOs, NGOs, international bodies, civil society and social
workers have to play a key role to implement the National Women Development Policy.
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