Research Monograph

On
Empowerment of Women in Bangladesh: Challenges &
Perspective

Subject : Research Methodology and Monograph with Oral Defense

Course Code: LL.M 1011

Submitted to

Professor Dr. Rahmat Ullah

Advisor
City University

Submitted By

Md. Solayman Kabir

ID No.: 151018501
Batch: 1st
Program: LL.M
Department of Law
City University

Date of Submission: 16th July, 2016

 Letter of Transmittal
16th July, 2016

Professor Dr. Rahmat Ullah

Advisor
City University

Subject: Submission of Research Monograph on: “Empowerment of Women in

Bangladesh: Challenges & Perspective”

Dear Sir,

This is to inform you that I have completed my thesis on “Empowerment of Women in

Bangladesh: Challenges & Perspective” it has been a great learning experience for me. I would
like to thank you for assigning me such a responsibility and helping me on different aspects
of the thesis, which the knowledge will help in my future professional life.

However, I shall be grateful and obliged if you kindly accept my thesis and evaluate it.

Sincerely yours,

--------------------------

Md. Solayman Kabir

ID No.: 151018501
Batch: 1st
Program: LL.M
Department of Law
City University
 STUDENT DECLARATION

It is declared that this dissertation is my original work and it has not been previously
submitted to this university. The work I have presented does not breach any copyright. I
further undertake to indemnify the University against any loss or damage arising from breach
of the forgoing obligations.

--------------------------
Romana Hossain
ID No.: 151018508
Batch: 1st
Program: LL.M
Department of Law
City University
 SUPERVISOR’S CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the thesis paper on “Empowerment of Women in Bangladesh: Challenges
& Perspective” placed to the evaluation board. It is done by Romana Hossain in partial
fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of the Master of Laws. The thesis has been
carried out under my guidance and is a record of the bona fide work carried out successfully.

Professor Dr. Rahmat Ullah

Advisor
City University
.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First of all, I wish to acknowledge the immeasurable grace and kindness of the Almighty
Allah. I express my gratitude to my honorable supervisor Professor Dr. Rahmat Ullah,
Advisor, City University for giving me the opportunity to complete my thesis paper under
his supervision. He gave me his valuable time and important information to complete the
dissertation. As without his proper guidance it was quite impossible for me to complete the
dissertation.

Without their help, co-operation and instruction it might not be possible for me to deal with
such a topic. Therefore, I would like to convey my heartiest thanks to my near and dear
friends, juniors and seniors who helped me several times in many ways to complete my
dissertation. I also owe my gratitude to my parents and family members for their constant
support to prepare a good dissertation.

Finally I express thanks to my friends and well wishers.

--------------------------
Romana Hossain
ID No.: 151018508
Batch: 1st
Program: LL.M
Department of Law
City University
 ABSTRACT

Bangladesh emerged as an independent state in 1971. Subsequent nationalist history of the

state glori ‘men’ as savior and the women as ‘victim’. The issue of women empowerment has
been in the public domain but the presence of women in decision making club has not yet
resulted in active participation in nation’s power centers. Patriarchal society creates
consolation by establishing quota and the market force capitalized on the cheap and attractive
labor of women. The traditional mores in the society further complicates issue of identity
with predetermined notion of “Women’s Ideal Role” and to choose among ‘Bengali’,
‘Muslim’, ‘Hindu’, ‘Modern’, ‘Rural’, ‘Urban’, ‘Ethnic’ and other categories of women
determined by its own set of moralities and standards. This paper is an attempt to draw a
general but comprehensive picture of the present situation of women in Bangladesh.
Empowerment of women is a holistic concept. It is a multi-dimensional approach and it
covers social, political, and economic aspects. This paper used questionnaires and focus
group discussions to shed light on the question if non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
have increased women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. Looking at two study areas and two
NGOs (the Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) and Nari Uddug Kendra
(NUK)), the results of the case study show that these two NGOs have helped women with
economic empowerment, but that progress with women’s overall empowerment has been
limited.
 Table of Contents

SL. Description Page No

No
Chapter-01 Introduction 01-04
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Objective of the Study
1.3 Research Questions:
1.4 Methodology
Chapter- 2 Law and Policies 05-08
2.1 Women and Children oppression act 1995

2.2 Rights of women

2.3 What steps to be taken to ensure their human right :

2.4 Women and law of Bangladesh:

Chapter-03 Literature Review 09-18

3.1 Literature Review

Chapter-04 (Four) Empowerment in Bangladesh Challenges 19-39

Perspective
4.1 Government Policies Regarding Women Employment:
4.2 Introduction:
4.3 Women in Decision Making Level
4.4 Women’s Participation in Parliament Election
4.5 Women’s participation in urban local government:
4.6 Women in Administration
4.7 For the administrative empowerment of women:
4.8 Participation and representation of women in politics:
4.9 Women Participation in the Union Parishad
4.10 Scope of Elected Women’s Participation
4.11 Some of the major problems to women’s participation in local
government include the following:
4.12 Improvement of women’s status in Bangladesh
4.13 Women Empowerment Steps :
4.14 Women Challenges of Bangladesh
4.15 Political parties Challenges
4.16 Violence against women (VAW)
4.17 Gender mainstreaming
4.18 Disability and gender issues
Chapter-05 (Five) Recommendations & Conclusion 40-45
5.1 Recommendations
5.2 Conclusion
References