Gender equality is essential for the sustainable growth and development of a country. The Constitution of Bangladesh ensures equal opportunities for all citizens through Article 19(1). Article 28(1) explicitly protects women’s rights to equal treatment. Article 28(2) guarantees that women will have equal rights with men in public spheres, and Article 28(4) allows for special provisions to empower women as a traditionally disadvantaged group (Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, 1972). The government has incorporated women’s political, economic and social empowerment into important policy documents such as the Perspective Plan 2021-2041, the Eighth Five Year Plan 2020-2025, and the National Development Policy 2011. In addition, the government is committed to and has formulated action plans to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to women’s empowerment and gender equality. On the international level, Bangladesh is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Platform for Action.
Authors: Fahmida Khatun, Syed Yusuf Saadat, Preetilata Khondaker Huq, and Ibnat Hasan
Publication Period: July 2024