Empowerment of Women in Bangladesh

Empowerment means the process of giving power or authority to the powerless. And empowerment of women indicates [সূচিত করে] a process which helps women to get the opportunity [সুযোগ] to join the workforce and social affairs.

In the past women were confined [আবদ্ধ] within the four walls. They were kept away from out-of-home productive work. The hearth [উনান] was their workplace and so cooking, cleaning, washing giving birth and rearing [পালন] children became their job. Men became the wage earners and all other responsibilities were imposed [আরোপিত] on them.

In Bangladesh the women are still lagging [পিছাইয়া পড়া] behind. Women are the worst sufferers in Bangladesh. Superstition [কুসংস্কার] and religious dogmas [মতবাদ] are belting [পরিবেষ্টন] their position and dignity [মর্যাদা]. The birth of a girl child in a poor family is not regarded [গণ্য] as good. Parents think that the birth of a girl child will add to their sufferings [ভোগান্তি]. Very often they do not think of sending their girl to school. They are married off in their tender [কোমল] age. In her father in-law’s house she is not treated well and she is often tortured and mistreated [দুর্ব্যবহার] by her husband and others for dowry [যৌতুক].

In society, women are no less important than men. About half of our total population are women. So, it cannot be denied [অস্বীকার] that they too possess equal rights and duties as men. They also have ability and if they get opportunity, they can also work like men. That is why keeping aloof [নির্লিপ্ত] a half of its total population, no nation can make the real progress. So, women’s empowerment is a must.

Women’s condition has changed greatly during the last few decades. At present, women are playing important roles in all spheres [পরিমণ্ডল] of life. They have come out of the four walls and are working hand in land with men in all spheres of work. Proper steps should be taken for the empowerment of women. We should make our women conscious [সচেতন ]of the socio-economic development of the country. They should be made self-reliant by imparting [প্রদান করা] to them proper knowledge and employment. Our social prejudices [বিদ্বেষ] regarding [সংক্রান্ত] the girls must be changed.