By Labiba Ali
What defines the 21st century modern Bangladeshi woman? Have we made any progress in the last 100 years of global women’s emancipation? Although many would disagree that compared to our Western counterparts we, the Bangladeshi women, have not shattered the glass ceiling but have continued to be the householder I think the Bangladeshi woman have come a long way. Not because we have had two female heads of state but because the ordinary Bangladeshi woman have made a new place for herself in the modern Bangladeshi society.
Looking at my own family, I see each generation of woman progressing a step further. Both my grandmothers, although educated, never had a career outside the house. However, they encouraged all their daughters to pursue higher education and have careers of their own. Similarly my mother has pushed my sister and me to be all that we can be and be independent of others in our own lives. And this phenomenon has been repeated in almost all educated middle class families in Bangladesh. Now, in Dhaka, I see my old school friends having careers in the corporate and banking world, starting their own businesses, participating in academia, etc. They are also lawyers, doctors and engineers, making immense contributions to the civil society. They hold important and powerful positions as presidents, managers, and heads of NGOs. These women have redefined the Bangladeshi woman’s role and are achieving new heights. There isn’t a sector in Bangladesh that women do not participate in. Even in the international arena Bangladeshi women have broken grounds and are pursuing challenging careers in foreign lands.
The villages have also experienced much change in the women’s traditional role. With Grameen and other development organizations, women in the villages have been given the opportunity to venture out of the house. This has empowered them and their daughters, who I hope will carry on their mothers’ legacies. Now, it is not surprising to see many families in the villages where the mother is the primary bread earner. Many of these developments have also occurred due to the increase in government spending on gender equality. The government has consciously made a decision to improve the opportunities for Bangladeshi women especially for those who are underprivileged. Education has also played an important role both in the villages and in the cities. As more women have access to education and knowledge, they become aware of their capabilities and how they can contribute to society. Over the past decade, Bangladesh has sent more percentage of the female population to primary schools than either India or Pakistan. Meanwhile, the ˜Food for Education” program has immensely helped young girls to afford to go to school instead of working for survival. Probably the largest contribution made towards women’s emancipation outside the development sector is by the garments industry which employs millions of women every year and empowers them in the process.
As a Bangladeshi woman, I feel proud that the women of my country have achieved so much in the past few decades and continue to strive forward towards a better future. They did not give up during times of hardships but have held on with a strong grip. They have not compromised on their values and principles, which are so essential to their Bangladeshi identity. They continue to be committed daughters, wives, mothers, and aunts nurturing all of us with their love and understanding. Here is to wishing the best and nothing but the best for all Bangladeshi women!