In most societies, discrimination against women is still deeply rooted in systems, processes, and practices.Workplace gender inequalities have become one of the major concerns around the world, and Bangladesh is no exception. The rate of entry and growth is high in sectors where patriarchy has been deeply engraved into a social setup; women face considerable barriers to entry and advancement.
In such a context, the question of addressing inequalities seems imperative, and the system of gender quotas has come into play as an essential strategy to create a level playing field for women. However, with recent controversies on removing quotas, there is apprehension.
The recent verdicts by Bangladesh's highest courts have stirred debate on the issue of quotas for underprivileged communities. The Appellate Division of the Supreme Court undid the suspension order and proposed that 5% be given to the children of the freedom fighters, martyred freedom fighters, and Birongonas; 1% to ethnic minorities; and 1% to the disabled and third gender.
Before this quota reform, there was 10% for women in the public sector; removing the quota for women was a backward step to gender equality.
Corrective mechanisms of gender quotas were applied in Bangladesh because of a lack of representation of women in different spheres of activity, especially within the government and public service. Since ages, the workforce has been overwhelmingly male, relegating women to low-paid, low-status jobs. To counter this imbalance, the government identified quotas as an appropriate intervention to increase women's participation and representation.
The Constitution acts as a safeguard for advancing the cause of equity and equal opportunities, especially for the underprivileged. Article 28(4) enables the government to advance the cause of women, children, and backward classes through special programs. Article 29(3)(a) allows for reservations in public sector jobs to ensure adequate representation of backward classes of citizens, making the Constitution a guardian of inclusive quotas meant for socio-economic development. More importantly, international charters that Bangladesh is a signatory to have called for countries to take measures for designated groups and to make provisions towards realizing economic, social, civil, and political rights.
A prominent example of the gender quota is women's reservation in the national parliament. As introduced to ensure that women's voices were heard in the legislature, it raised the number of women in the House over the years. These quotas, for example, explain an increase in the number of women in Bangladesh's parliament from barely 2% back in the early 1990s to over 20% in recent times. Also equally important are gender quotas in public service exams, which greatly help grant opportunities for women to secure civil service positions.
Removing women's quotas for good may undermine much of the progress made and lead to a resurgence of gender-based inequalities
By 2020, women comprised about 27% of the civil service, far more than in past decades. These quotas went hand in hand with the increasing presence of women and with changing societal attitudes toward women in the workplace. In effect, they socialized people into the belief that women were just as capable of holding leadership and decision-making positions.
Quotas should not be a permanent policy but until societal attitudes and structures change to the extent that women can genuinely compete on a level playing field with men, quotas remain an essential tool. The premature removal of quotas for women is thus a matter of worry.
Women's rights organizations were apprehensive about the implications of removing quotas for women. International figures provide a hint of just how abysmally women are represented in positions of authority, a fact standing in the way of achieving gender parity as called for by Sustainable Development Goal-5.
The reinstatement and expansion of quotas to further reduce workplace gender inequalities is thus worth arguing. Quotas can act as a catalyst for a general change of culture, challenging the norms and biases that have continued to keep women out of several professions. In countries where societal expectations often discourage women from pursuing careers outside the home, quotas can provide the necessary support and encouragement for women to break through these barriers.
It is important to recognize the role quotas have played in reducing gender inequality within Bangladesh's workplaces. Removing women's quotas for good may undermine much of the progress made and lead to a resurgence of gender-based inequalities in the workplace.
Bangladesh should thus consider reestablishing its quotas on gender and strengthen them to ensure that women can continue to be in a position to enjoy opportunities provided in all sectors. Along with this, the government should enact other policies supplementing these quotas as a way to further help women rise above some of the many challenges they face.
True gender equality in Bangladesh can come only with a multifaceted approach and allow the country to move further along its path of development and continue to build a fairer, more just society in which women are fully empowered to contribute to national development and prosperity.
Asraful Hassan is a freelance contributor.