Take Five Bangladesh: “Laws protecting women’s rights have been enacted, but enforcement remains inconsistent”

Maleka Banu is the General Secretary of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), one of the leading women’s organizations in Bangladesh. She has been a prominent figure in advocating for women’s rights and gender equality in the country. Under her leadership, the BMP has focused on addressing various forms of discrimination, particularly concerning women's legal rights, political participation, and socio-economic development.

With 2030 marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, why was such an agenda for women’s rights and gender equality necessary, and how has the landscape of gender equality evolved since then, particularly in Bangladesh?

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA) was necessary to address global gender inequalities and empower women by ensuring their full participation in society. Before BPFA, The First World Conference of the International Women's Year(1975), the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women in Copenhagen(1980) and the Forward-Looking Strategies in the World Conference adopted in Nairobi (1985) aimed to establish a  Comprehensive set of guidelines in reviewing progress for the advancement of women, as well as establish specific measures to overcome obstacles for achieving the Decade for Women´s goals. The BPFA consolidated these efforts by identifying 12 critical issues and providing a roadmap for addressing education, employment, political participation, and violence against women.

First, women have been historically marginalized and discriminated against in education, employment, property rights, and political participation. The BPFA aimed to address these disparities by advocating for equal opportunities for women and recognizing the specific needs of female children in all spheres of society.

Second, violence against women was (and unfortunately still is) a global problem. The BPFA recognized the urgency of combating all forms of violence against women, including domestic violence, sexual harassment, and trafficking.

Moreover, economic empowerment is crucial for women's rights and dignity. The BPFA emphasized the need to remove barriers that hinder women's economic participation, such as discriminatory laws, lack of property rights, and limited access to economic resources. It provided a roadmap for national and international organizations to achieve sustainable development and social justice by advancing women's rights and gender equality.

In Bangladesh, there has been significant progress, especially in education, where gender disparities have reduced, and women’s participation in the workforce has increased. Laws protecting women’s rights, such as those addressing violence against women, have been enacted. However, challenges like gender-based violence, patriarchal norms, and lack of access to resources for rural women persist.

What key areas do you believe national authorities in Bangladesh should focus on to urgently address gender inequality and promote women’s empowerment?

To address gender inequality, Bangladesh needs to focus on several key areas. First, tackling gender-based violence (GBV) is essential. While laws exist, their enforcement is inconsistent. Strengthening law enforcement, judicial systems, and social services, alongside providing support services such as legal aid, safe housing, and counseling for survivors, is crucial. Public awareness campaigns should challenge harmful gender norms to reduce the prevalence of GBV.

Women’s economic empowerment must also be prioritized. Recognizing unpaid domestic work in the national GDP and promoting shared household responsibilities are important steps. Better access to financial resources, land, and technology for women is necessary to increase their participation in the formal economy. Supporting women entrepreneurs and improving infrastructure like safe public transportation will enable greater economic inclusion.

Political participation is another area needing urgent attention. Women remain underrepresented in leadership positions, and increased political participation through quota systems is essential. Beyond quotas, targeted support such as training and mentorship for women leaders, as well as efforts to dismantle patriarchal norms in politics, are critical for effective participation.

Education is foundational to gender equality. Bangladesh must invest in girls’ education, especially in rural areas, by addressing barriers like early marriage and poverty. Promoting STEM education and vocational training for girls and women will equip them for better economic opportunities. A gender-sensitive education system will foster a more inclusive society.

Healthcare, particularly access to sexual and reproductive health services, is another key area. Expanding maternal healthcare and family planning services, while addressing barriers like early pregnancy and child marriage, is crucial for women’s autonomy and well-being. Comprehensive sexual education programs in schools can also improve health outcomes for women.

Finally, Bangladesh must focus on the inclusion of marginalized communities. Women from groups such as Dalits, fisher-folk, and sex workers, as well as those from minority religious or ethnic backgrounds, face compounded challenges. Policies must address their specific needs, especially in remote areas like Char, Haor, and hill regions, ensuring they have access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

By addressing these critical areas—GBV, economic empowerment, political participation, education, healthcare, and marginalized communities—Bangladesh can make significant progress toward achieving gender equality and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.Bangladesh must prioritize several key areas to tackle gender inequality. Addressing gender-based violence (GBV) is crucial. Stronger enforcement of existing laws, along with comprehensive support services for survivors, including legal aid, counseling, and public awareness campaigns, is needed to reduce GBV.

Women’s economic empowerment is also vital. Recognizing unpaid domestic work and improving access to financial resources, land, and technology will enable more women to enter the formal economy. Support for women entrepreneurs and safe public transportation are key steps to achieving economic inclusion.

Political participation needs to be expanded, with quotas for women in leadership roles. In addition to quotas, providing mentorship and training for women leaders is essential to ensure meaningful participation.

Investing in girls' education, particularly in rural areas, is foundational. Efforts should focus on removing barriers such as early marriage and poverty, while promoting STEM education and vocational training for girls.

Healthcare access, especially for sexual and reproductive health, is another priority. Improving maternal healthcare and addressing early pregnancy and child marriage will empower women to make informed choices about their health.

Finally, Bangladesh must ensure the inclusion of marginalized communities, such as Dalits, fisher-folk, and women from minority backgrounds, in policy and development agendas. Special attention should be given to remote areas, ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

By addressing these areas—GBV, economic empowerment, political participation, education, healthcare, and marginalized communities—Bangladesh can move closer to achieving gender equality by 2030.

Considering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the target of achieving gender equality by 2030, what concrete steps should Bangladesh prioritize across sectors?

Bangladesh needs to prioritize several concrete steps to achieve gender equality by 2030. Strengthening laws promoting gender equality, particularly in employment, inheritance, and gender-based violence, is crucial. Investing in girls' education and promoting STEM education, along with addressing barriers to enrollment and retention, will help break cycles of poverty. Access to comprehensive healthcare services, especially maternal and reproductive health, must be improved, and issues such as child marriage need to be addressed. Economic empowerment can be achieved by increasing women’s access to resources such as land, credit, and technology. Women’s participation in political decision-making needs to be expanded, with quota systems and support for female candidates. Additionally, marginalized communities should be fully included in policy and development agendas to create an equitable society.

What have been some of the biggest obstacles in your career advocating for women’s rights, and what victories have been the most rewarding?

One of the biggest obstacles has been entrenched societal norms that perpetuate gender inequality, alongside resistance from conservative power structures. Overcoming these challenges required building coalitions, mobilizing grassroots support, and leveraging international advocacy networks. Despite these obstacles, there have been rewarding victories, including tangible changes in legislation, such as laws addressing domestic violence and gender-responsive budgeting. Empowering women to assert their rights, access education, and participate in decision-making processes has been particularly fulfilling, reinforcing the importance of continued efforts toward gender equality.

What advice would you give to the new generation of activists working to advance gender equality, and what are your hopes for the upcoming Beijing+30 conference?

My advice to new activists is to educate themselves about the root causes of gender inequality and understand intersectionality. Listening to and amplifying the voices of marginalized women is crucial in making progress. Collaboration and coalition-building are key for effective collective action in the fight for gender equality. It’s also important to challenge harmful gender stereotypes and promote equality in both words and actions. Equally vital is the practice of self-care; sustaining long-term activism requires taking care of oneself while forming alliances with marginalized voices. For the Beijing+30 conference, I hope to see a renewed global commitment to gender equality. Organizations like Bangladesh Mahila Parishad should focus on policy advocacy, investing in the women’s human rights movement, and collaborating with civil society to maximize their impact on advancing women’s rights.