As another International Women's Day passes us by -- while we take the time to appreciate not only the women in our lives but the countless women who contribute daily towards an evolving Bangladesh -- it is also important to look at all the ways we're still lagging behind in women empowerment.
It is indubitable that our country has come a long way in terms of gender equality, and is arguably in a better state in that regard than many other influential nations. A large portion of our workforce consists of female employees, and their contributions to the country have been pivotal.
However, issues like wage disparity remain a constant struggle for the female populace, especially with women labourers experiencing a noticeable wage gap with their male counterparts doing the same work.
This is just one of the many obstacles that women are made to face regularly in our country. While opportunities are seemingly plentiful, the system itself is designed in a way that does not cater to women's needs and freedom of choice, and subsequently holds them back from true empowerment.
Studies have also shown the lack of control women continue to have -- at home and in places of work, over their own income, and in their lives in general.
Women have historically been repressed in predominantly patriarchal systems such as ours, which lends itself to a sense of fear among the female populace to speak up for what is rightfully theirs.
It goes without saying: We have a lot of work left to do for the other half of our population that remains undervalued in many ways.
In order to bring true reform to what have been age-old practices stemming from archaic ideologies, the government must double down on designing necessary policies and laws that not only eliminate the gender wage disparity, but also facilitate the freedom and autonomy that all women deserve.
Women are invaluable members of our society, and it is time we make their paths forward a lot less burdensome than it has been for far too long.