Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 has specific gender-related targets to be achieved by 2030. Bangladesh has already achieved some of the SDG targets on gender equality and women empowerment. The country has a ‘women development policy’, the current version has been updated in 2011. In order to implement it, a National Action Plan has been developed in 2013 which is now being implemented in line with the SDGs. The 8th Five Year Plan (8FYP) 2020–2025 specifically mentioned about improving and enhancing women’s economic participation and benefits, women’s freedom of speech, and programmes for the welfare of mother and child. Overall, the need for further improvements in gender equality and women empowerment is rightly emphasised in the policy documents, and the government has undertaken a number of initiatives through different ministries to achieve the relevant targets. This policy brief highlights the following issues—Bangladesh’s Performance in the global context, gender budget, women in national economy, national laws and policies, and measures and initiatives taken for women’s development and empowerment.
Publication Period: June 2022