Gender equity
It is imperative
for the government to take measures to accelerate gender equity through
bolder policymaking
It is encouraging to note that Bangladesh has top-ranked in gender equity in South Asia having closed its overall gender gap just under 70 per cent. According to a report in this newspaper yesterday, the country has ranked 72 among 144 countries in the world in the Global Gender Gap Index 2016 prepared by World Economic Forum. Bangladesh has become the regions top performer, recording progress this year on the political empowerment gender gap. There is no scope for expressing complacency since there is a widening of the gap on womens labour force participation and estimated earned income.
Gender equity is the process of allocating resources, programmes and decision-making fairly to both males and females. This requires ensuring that everyone has access to a full range of opportunities to achieve the social, psychological and physical benefits that come from participating and leading in different activities. The system requires that girls and women be provided with a full range of activity and programme choices that meet their needs, interests and experiences.
Women constitute half of the total population of Bangladesh. But only numerical strength will do little if their participation in the mainstream development activities is not ensured. That women are forging ahead defying various limitations confronting them is evident from their exposure to the different sectors of life, particularly the RMG industry. This has helped them achieve solvency for them and provide economic support to their families. The present government has done a lot for the improvement of the lot of women but much more should be done.
A vast segment of women is still suffering due to violence perpetrated on them by their male counterparts. Scores of women in rural areas of the country are still leading sub-human life due to abysmal poverty, illiteracy, curse of early marriage, pangs of premature motherhood and dowry. Deserted by husbands, many hapless women have to earn for survival. In many cases fair wages and remunerations elude them.
There has been progress on closing the secondary education enrolment gender gap, and on womens estimated earned income, but this is partly offset by reversals on wage equality and female-to-male literacy ratios.
It is imperative for the government to take measures to accelerate gender equality through bolder policymaking. Alongside government efforts, NGOs, community leaders, human rights activists and religious leaders can come forward for ensuring gender equity for womens greater participation in the development process.
