More than five decades after independence, Bangladesh’s women’s rights movement continues to advance -- often unevenly -- through a mix of progress and persistent challenges. While laws exist to protect women, issues such as violence, child marriage, workplace discrimination and limited political participation continue to shape the realities faced by many women. According to Election Commission data, women initially entered parliament through 15 reserved seats in the first parliament (1973–1975). Rights groups say such figures reflect both the persistence of gender-based violence and the barriers women face in accessing protection and justice. Meanwhile, participation of women in Bangladesh’s garment sector -- long seen as a driver of female economic empowerment -- has also shown signs of contraction.

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 07, 2026 18:54 UTC