its about gender development in bangladesh.

1. Presentation on Gender & Development in Bangladesh:
Equality, Equity & Challenges
Group members
1. Md Mehadi Hasan (2078)
2. Shaikh Farhana Hossain (2084)
3. Md. Toriqul Islam 2000
4. Tanjila Ahmed (1967)
5. Sanuar Jahan (1959)
6. Khadija Akter Shanta 2000
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2. Equality vs Equity through examples
• Coastal policymakers build school for both girls and boys which is equality, but
solving the drinking water source problem, so that girls join to school is equity.
• Setting up breastfeeding areas in malls is equity but not equality, given that men
do not need these.
• Requiring both men and women to be on their feet all day in a service-based job
like nursing or catering would be equality, for instance. But recognizing that
women can get pregnant and establishing regulations that allow expectant
mothers to take breaks and sit down regularly would be equity.
• Paternity leave in case the mother is sick or dead is equity.
• The creation of job training programs for women only in disaster affected areas, so
that they can join freely is equity.
• Job salary according to work merit is equity.
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3. Gender Inequality Scenario in Bangladesh
1. Lack of a gender-responsive working environment
2. Uneven access to education
• Only 50.6 per cent of adult women have reached at least a secondary level of education (HDI 2021)
3. Lack of legal protections, supporting regulations and policies
4. Lack of employment equality
• The female to male ratio of total unemployment rate is 1.93, and the female to male ratio of total youth
unemployment rate is 1.57. (Human Development Life-Course Gender Gap Dashboard 2021)
• According to the 2021 Time Use Survey (TUS) conducted by BBS with UN Women support, women
spend 24.6 per cent of their time on unpaid domestic and care work, whereas men spend 3.3 per cent.
• Women get the job which is low paying . Women fill less than 20 per cent of first-class gazetted jobs,
and less than 23 per cent of women have leadership roles in local government institutions.
(UNWOMEN)
• Bangladesh ranks at the top among South Asian countries and 71 among 158 countries worldwide in
the World Economic Forum Gender Gap Index 2022
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4. Gender Inequality Scenario (contd)
5. Early marriage
According to a study by UNICEF (2011), a higher proportion of women (71%) in rural areas are married
before 18, compared to 54% of women in urban areas
6. Gender based violence
The VAW survey (2015) conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) estimated that 72.6 per
cent of married women experience one or more forms of violence by their husbands at least once in their
lifetime.
7. Lack of bodily autonomy
Many women do not have authority over their own bodies or when they become mother and early
pregnancy lead in health complicacy.
8. Lack of political representation
• Women make up only 21 per cent of the legislature in the 11th Parliament (2018-2023) of Bangladesh.
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Mehadi (2078)

5. Implications of Gender Roles
• Positive implications:
• Structure and order: Gender roles can provide a sense of structure and predictability in society,
shaping expectations and fostering a sense of belonging.
• Socialization: They contribute to the socialization process, guiding individuals towards specific
behaviors and values deemed appropriate for their gender.
• Division of labor: Traditionally, gender roles have facilitated the division of labor within families
and communities, ensuring the completion of essential tasks.
• Negative implications:
• Inequality: Rigid gender roles can perpetuate gender inequality, limiting opportunities, access to
resources, and decision-making power for women and marginalized genders.
• Stereotyping: They lead to harmful stereotypes and assumptions about individuals based solely on
their gender, restricting their potential and stifling individual expression.
• Mental health: Restrictive gender norms can negatively impact mental health, leading to anxiety,
depression, and low self-esteem, particularly for individuals who do not conform to expectations.
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6. Impacts of Gender Inequality
• Impact on Individuals: Limiting choices and opportunities: Restrictive gender roles can
discourage individuals from pursuing interests, careers, or relationships that don't conform to their
expected gender roles. This can lead to unfulfilled potential and a sense of inauthenticity. (United
Way NCA, 2023)
• Negative impact on mental health: Studies suggest that adhering to strict gender roles can contribute
to feelings of shame, self-doubt, and low self-esteem, particularly among individuals who don't
conform to expectations. (Verywell Mind, 2023)
• Impact on Relationships: Creating power imbalances: Traditional gender roles often assign more
power and authority to men, leading to unequal partnerships and limitations in communication and
intimacy. (Satadeepa Som, 2023)
• Impact on Society: Perpetuating gender inequality: By assigning different values and opportunities
to men and women, gender roles contribute to societal disparities in areas like education,
employment, and political participation. (American Political Science Review, 2003)
• Negative impact on development: Harmful gender norms can hinder the overall development of
individuals and communities, impacting educational attainment, health outcomes, and economic
prosperity. (Save the Children, 2023)
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7. Role of Development Organizations
• Development organizations can maximize their positive impact on gender equality
by:
• Conducting thorough gender analyses to understand the specific needs and
challenges of different groups of women within a given context.
• Engaging communities in the design and implementation of development
programs to ensure they are culturally appropriate and responsive to local needs.
• Adopting an intersectional approach that recognizes the multiple dimensions of
inequality and addresses the needs of all marginalized groups.
• Investing in capacity building for local organizations and communities to ensure
long-term sustainability and ownership of development initiatives.
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Farhana Hossain (2084)

8. Consequences due to gender inequality

9. Increase maternal mortality
Gender discrimination leads the maternal mortality as the
mothers are not facilitated properly in our country. The
number is getting low by the time but the rate of maternal
mortality is still high . Bangladesh maternal mortality rate
for 2020 was 123.00, a 21.66% decline from 2019.
Bangladesh maternal mortality rate for 2019 was 157.00, a
8.72% decline from 2018. Bangladesh maternal mortality rate
for 2018 was 172.00, a 6.01% decline from 2017.
Increasing dowry
Though, the government of Bangladesh has amended the
Dowry Prohibition Acts 2018, the practical situation of
dowry is still prevalently practised in Bangladesh like a
social cancer of the society because they are forced to
accept the proposal.
Lower recreational facilities
Bangladeshi women and girls don't get the rights of
freedom of movement everywhere as the men have, the
society is based on patriarchal values and socially
conservative policies towards women and girl's freedom.
Physical harassment
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 54%
of women have experienced physical and sexual abuse
at least once in their lifetime and gender inequality is a
vital factor for this.
Low payment
women form a large majority of the working poor, earn less
income, and are more often affected by long-term
unemployment than men. This is due to women’s
socioeconomic disadvantages caused by gender-based
discrimination and their double roles of being a worker and
being a mother. Equal pay for men and women is still not a
reality. For the same job, women are still being less paid
than man.

10. Lower nutritional status of women
Malnutrition is a huge problem in Bangladesh. According to
WFP, 31 % of the population live below the poverty line.
Women historically have lacked access to health and hygiene
services. Women and children are the primary targets of
ensuring nutrition security in developing countries.
However, in rural areas of Bangladesh, both women are
children are getting fewer privileges regarding food
consumption and health facilitates. Poor nutrition is a major
health problem in Bangladesh with clear gender dimensions.
In particular, the prevalence of anemia amongst women of
childbearing age is extremely high with consequent impacts
upon both mother and child health as well as productivity.
Low quality of education
In Bangladesh most women are unable to complete post-primary
education. Evidence suggests that families continue to invest more
in post-primary education for boys in the country. In primary
schools, girls’ enrolment rate is 51% (DPE, 2012). School dropout
rates for both sexes remain high in grades 4 and 5 at 7.4% (in 2010)
and 11% (in 2011) (DPE 2012). Secondary school dropout rates are
much higher, with girls’ rates significantly higher than boys’ at the
grade 10 level (51.83% and 40.44%, respectively) (BANBEIS,
2012).
Early marriage and lack of gender education
Save the children analysis revealed a further 2.5 million
girlsat risk of marriage by 2025 because of the Covid-19
pandemic which is the greatest surge in child marriage rates
nearly in three decades. . This difference reflects the greater
difficulties in retaining female students due to the traditions
of early marriage and girls’ poor socio-economic conditions
Increase domestic violence
Over 70 percent of married women or girls in Bangladesh
have faced some form of intimate partner abuse; about half
of them say their partners have physically assaulted them,
according to a 2015 survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of
Statistics and the United Nations Population Fund.
Tanjila Ahmed (1967)

11. Challenges of Gender Equality
• Poverty: Poverty remains a pervasive challenge in Bangladesh, disproportionately
affecting women. According to the Bangladesh Household Income and Expenditure
Survey 2016, about 21.8% of the population lived below the poverty line, and
poverty rates were often higher among female-headed households.
• Educational Disparities: Although there has been improvement in girls' education,
there are still disparities, particularly in rural areas. Factors such as early marriage
and cultural norms sometimes hinder girls' access to education. Although there has
been progress, challenges persist. As of 2019, the literacy rate for females aged 15-
24 was around 86%, compared to 93% for males in the same age group.
• Lack of Skills and Trainings for Women: Many women face barriers in acquiring
skills that would enhance their economic opportunities.Initiatives focusing on skill
development and vocational training can empower women, providing them with
the tools needed to participate more actively in the workforce and contribute to
economic growth.
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12. Challenges of bringing Gender Equality
• Healthcare Disparities:
• Regarding Bangladesh, the report said the maternal mortality rate has decreased
by 72 percent in the last 20 years. Despite this 10 women are dying due to
complexities regarding childbirth every day, showing improvement but
highlighting the need for continued efforts in maternal healthcare.
• Unawareness of Common People: Limited awareness about gender equality
issues among the general population hinders progress. Educational campaigns
and community outreach are essential to raise awareness and promote a more
inclusive understanding of gender roles and rights.
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13. Challenges of bringing Gender Equality
• Gender-Based Violence: Despite legal frameworks, cultural norms and practices
sometimes perpetuate gender-based violence, making it challenging to eradicate.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 54% of women have
experienced physical and sexual abuse at least once in their lifetime. 1627
women were raped in 2020, according to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK).
• Cultural and Social Norms: Traditional gender roles and expectations persist in
many parts of Bangladesh, impacting women's autonomy and decision-making
power within the family and society. Deep-rooted gender norms may discourage
women from pursuing non-traditional careers.
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Toriqul (2000)

14. Solution and Necessary Steps
• Importance should be given to girl’s
education
• There should be property rights should
be given women as equal to men.
• Girls should be treated as a boon and
not as a burden
• Role-models and mentorship for
women in
• local governance and aspiring leaders
• Creating a network of local women
leaders
• Balancing work/family responsibilities
and time management

15. Solution and Necessary Steps
• Education and Awareness
• Solution: Strengthen educational
programs promoting gender
equality.
• Steps:
• Incorporate gender-sensitive
curricula.
• Conduct awareness campaigns
challenging gender norms.
• Legal Reforms
• Solution: Enforce and enhance
legal frameworks to protect
women's rights.
• Steps:
• Strengthen law enforcement
against gender-based violence.
• Advocate for legal reforms
promoting women's rights.

16. Solution and Necessary Steps
• Economic Empowerment
• Solution: Promote economic
opportunities for women.
• Steps:
• Implement policies encouraging
women's participation in the
formal economy.
• Provide financial literacy and skill
development programs.
• Healthcare and Reproductive
Rights
• Solution: Ensure access to
quality healthcare and
reproductive rights.
• Steps:
• Improve healthcare infrastructure
with a focus on maternal health.
• Conduct awareness campaigns on
reproductive health rights.

17. Solution and Necessary Steps
• Capacity Building and Leadership
• Solution: Build the capacity of women
and promote their leadership.
• Steps:
• Creating a women’s leadership
academy
• Provide training programs to
enhance women's skills.
• Encourage women's participation
in decision-making processes.
• Collaboration and Partnerships
• Solution: Foster collaboration
between government, NGOs, and the
private sector.
• Steps:
• Facilitate partnerships between
stakeholders.
• Mobilize resources to support
gender-focused initiatives.
Sanuar (1959) 17