Women have been marginalized in patriarchal societies throughout history. Having been relegated to secondary roles in the family, community, and workforce, the unequal treatment or representation of girls or women -- based on their gender -- continues to have far-reaching consequences that impact different facets of life.
In Bangladesh, the female population has increased steadily over the years. According to the Population and Housing Census of Bangladesh 2022, the female population of Bangladesh stood at 8.33 crore, which is 50.50% of the total population. Despite being such a large section of our community, women in Bangladesh face numerous challenges in their lives, starting from birth.
Born unequal
Families often prefer boys over girls, and this typically leads to the neglect and mistreatment of young girls. A recent research conducted by Dhaka University and UNFPA reveals that in Bangladesh, the inclination towards having a male child continues to hold significance for parents to this day. Some even opt for aborting female fetuses.
Girls are not given the same opportunities as boys, such as access to education and health care. This discrimination that restricts girls from developing their individual potential can also lead to early marriage and teenage pregnancies, and has a devastating impact on their lives.
Married off
Child marriage persists as a significant issue in Bangladesh. About 51% of girls are married before the age of 18, and 18% are married before the age of 15, according to UNICEF. Early marriage frequently results in a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and poor health for girls and their children. At such young ages the girls also fall victim to domestic violence and sexual abuse, which are proven to be rampant in Bangladesh.
Might is not right
Girls may face violence in the form of sexual harassment, physical abuse, rape, or trafficking, outside the toll experienced on their mental health. According to Bangladesh bureau of statistics, 54% of women have experienced physical and sexual abuse at least once in their lifetime.
Between January and July 2023, 353 women experienced rape, with 80 attempted incidents, as per a report from the Ain o Salish Kendra. Furthermore, 86 women fell prey to sexual harassment while 134 lost their lives at the hands of their spouses. 560 girl-children were raped and 98 were victims of rape attempts across the country in 2022. Of them, 12 girls died after being raped, according to the data gathered by Manusher Jonno Foundation.
These reports convey a message that rape, murder, sexual harassment and violence against girls and women are normal. Though there are laws in place to protect girls from gender-based violence, implementation and enforcement still remains a challenge.
With knowledge comes freedom
Although Bangladesh has made significant progress in reducing the gender gap in education, with primary school enrolment standing at 98%, girls still face barriers to education. The previously mentioned issues of poverty, child marriage, and gender-based violence and discrimination can all contribute to girls dropping out of school.
According to UNICEF, 2.2 million children, of which the majority are girls, remain out of school in Bangladesh. This number is higher in rural areas, where cultural barriers and poverty prevent girls from attending school.
Education provides girls with the knowledge and skills they need to become leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers in their communities. Educated girls are more likely to marry later, have healthier children, and contribute to their families' income.
To some, this thought of empowering girls with such agency may be a scary thought. However, investing in girls' education in Bangladesh is essential to creating a brighter future for everyone -- one where every member of our society contributes to the achievements of the nation, not just the entitled few.
It is crucial that we fight against such inequalities and hardships pushed upon girls in our country. This means providing access to education, health care, and protecting them against violence and harmful practices. It also means challenging gender norms and stereotypes that limit the potential of girls and perpetuate discrimination.
Policies in place
This is not to say that the government of Bangladesh hasn’t taken steps to protect girls in the country. The Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017 redefined the adult female age -- for the context of marriage -- as those who have completed 18 years of age and introduced stricter penalties for those involved in child marriage.
The Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act 2010 and the National Women Development Policy 2011 are further examples of the government's commitment to protecting girls' rights. The government has also implemented various initiatives to promote girls' education, including stipends for girls and the distribution of free textbooks.
However, more needs to be done to protect girls in Bangladesh.
We must change our attitudes and beliefs and challenge the patriarchal norms and stereotypes that hinder gender equality. We, the government and civil society, have to raise awareness and educate people to dispel ingrained gender-biases at a grass-roots level.
We must also ensure that the laws that protect girl children are implemented and enforced effectively. Empowering girls is not only the right thing to do, but it is also essential for creating a brighter future for Bangladesh. We should strive towards a more prosperous, healthy, and equitable society.
As a nation, we must work together to break down the barriers that limit girls and provide them with the tools they need to succeed. When we empower women, we empower the nation.
Md Ariful Islam is an independent researcher and anthropology graduate from The University of Dhaka.
