Women' Empowerment in Bangladesh

The empowerment of women in Bangladesh is observed bellow which is attempted by the government and NGOs.
Women’s Political Empowerment: the Impact of Quota on Women’s
Women in Bangladesh constituting fifty percent of the 130 million people have made important progresses in different development fields.

• School enrolment increase
• Women’s entry into garments and related industries.
• Employment in public and private sector increased
• Women’s participation in political movements and independence struggles
• Strong women’s movement strengthened by NGO social development programmes Contradictorily, however countervailing forces have also been on the rise.
• Patriarchal structures strengthened conservative values, emerging trend of religious fundamentalism
• Women major targets as boundary markers of culture and tradition
• Rights of women in family, work place and statehood largely unattained
• Rising social and political violence against women
• Women’s roles in politics and administration made problematic by conservative attitudes and practices
• Lack of support to policies for women as women’s political participation and empowerment is extremely low. Existing policies not translated to impacts
• A growing consensus of political empowerment as a necessary condition for sustained economic and social advancement of women
• This presentation is on women’s participation and empowerment in governance vis-à-vis the impact of quotas on their status and position in the Civil Service, the Parliament and Local government
• The objective is to identify and understand the underlying obstacles and potentials of women’s effective leadership and advancement.

Constitutional and Legal framework of  Women' Status
Strong constitutional rights and opportunities for women:
• Article 27, 28 (1)(3): equality in the eyes of the law, no discrimination on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth and equal protection under law
• Article 28(2), 29(1): equal opportunity for men and women in all spheres of state
and public life, also in respect to employment in the service of the Republic
• Article 65(3): Women are free to contest election from any constituency
• Enabling laws framed to enhance women’s participation in the economy, in social
and political structures
• Government policy commitments: PRSP, MDG, CEDAW endorsement
In cognizance of the general backward status of women in the country
quota was introduced in the CS
• 10% reserved quota for women introduced in 1972, made effective in1976 (women debarred
from defence services, other posts considered unsuitable)
• In1985, mandatory 10% reservation for women in gazetted posts, I5 % in non-gazetted
posts in addition to merit
• Reservation of 60 % posts of primary school teachers for women
Despite the legal/constitutional backups and quotas women in the CS remained limited
• From 1972 to 1983 only 4.89% women recruited in 15 cadres, mostly in education and
health and in lower levels
• Prior to the quota policy only 6.60 % were women
• In the nineties, only 8.56% women in public sector employment. Of them over 90 % in class
III and class IV employees. Majority of women in civil service in low-paid and clerical jobs
• Women at top administrative and management levels with higher prestige and pay constitute
hardly 10%.
• In 2004, 212 women out of 2,070 gazetted officers in class I and II services. Of 6,541 civil
servants about 572 women non- gazetted officers and employees in class III and IV
• In Secretariat Ministries and Divisions, only 784 out of 8611 employees females (about
9.1%)
• Only one Secretary, one Additional Secretary, five Joint Secretaries and eight Deputy
Secretaries
• Currently only one woman secretary, the highest post in civil administration, a few joint and
additional secretaries.
• The situation of women in the CS bottom heavy with most in mid and lower levels of
administration
Quotas did not dramatically increase numbers of women in Civil Service.
• Only 11% women’s representation, quota remains unfilled in most cadres
• Skewed distribution, most in education and health, traditionally jobs suitable for women
• Recently women opting for administrative services but cannot score high points in the
entrance exams
• Women’s promotions slower, they forego administrative cadre with potential of important
decision making posts in the secretariat and in field administration to avoid rigorous training
and postings in remote areas, particularly in early and mid career points
• Women’s promotions often delayed because of non-cooperation of supervising officers,
mostly men
• The system fails to facilitate development of women career paths resulting in relegation to
lower levels
• Women in less important administrative and clerical jobs in class III and IV categories, lack
of adequate educational background
• Generally women not favoured by the quotas, in women’s large scale entrance to Civil
Service or attaining positions of authority and responsibility
Women in Parliament
A quota of reserved seats for women in Parliament adopted by the State
• The first government in 1972 reserved 15 in addition to 300 general seats in Parliament for
women for 10 years
• Amendment in 1978 increased this to 30, extended the period of reservation to 15 years.
• System interrupted in1987, no provision for women’s seat in the 1988 parliamentary election
• Reinstated by tenth Amendment in 1990, 30 seats for 10 years
• On expiration of this in 2000 neither incumbent government nor newly elected one in 2001
moved to reinstate quota
• One year to the end of its term the government enacted reservation of 45 additional seats
for women
• (Country currently under Caretaker government with parliament standing dissolved. The CG
advisory group of ten reshuffled several times since its takeover in January 2007. Five
women as against 23 men were/are by turn in the Council of Advisors in the CG)
Women’s presence in Parliament is token and symbolic.
• Women’s entry to parliament through nomination retrogressive to the process of women’s
political participation
• Chosen on basis of party allegiance, not on merit/qualification, women represent neither
women nor general constituencies
• Nomination adversely affect development and maturity of women as party members. Parties
not obliged to nominate women for general seats, they are ornamental to the party and the
Parliament
• Women hold minor positions in mainstream parties though ironically women head the two
major ones, positioned by default through dynastic control
• Women parliamentarians became ‘yes’ persons to parties, obliged for the opportunity to
enjoy all rights, privileges’ due to parliament members including the right to vote on motions
• Nominated women considered only for deputy minister’s office headed by male minister
• Quota became instrument for use of women in Parliament for party purposes. In the last
eight Parliaments a total of not more than 10 were elected to office
• Most important objective of quota in Parliament, that of enabling and promoting women to
hold office of authority, represent their constituencies could not be reached
Women in local government
Unlike in the CS and Parliament reservation of seats for women councillors in the
elected local government more effective
• Milestone legislation in 1997 opened the door for women’s participation by reservation of
25% seats in the lowest level rural councils, Union Parishads (UP), the urban Municipalities
and the City Corporations
• More than 40000 women contested, 15000 elected directly to the UP with similar
participation recorded for the urban councils. This demonstration of women’s active
engagement in public, political arena unleashed great enthusiasm among growing numbers
of community women leaders, an unprecedented scenario in the countryside
• Sudden appearance, activation of large numbers of women in the public sphere shook up
the bases of male power structure both in the councils and outside. Threatened male
leaders resisted women councillors’ participation in local governance. A similar situation was
witnessed in the case of the urban municipalities and City Corporations
• The new law enabled women to be elected to the councils but made their effective
participation problematic; women’s constituency overlapped with those of three other
members, mostly men; roles, functional jurisdiction for reserve seat not specified
• Gap in the law provided male councillors opportunity to refuse women’s right to participate,
have access to information, resources
• On protest by women councillors, concerned local community, civil society, the government
assigned functions for women by orders and circulars. Not effective with women not aware
of mechanisms of implementation, male resistance persisted
• Strong deterrent to women’s participation manifested in lower numbers of women
contestants in the second round of elections
Due to incompleteness of the reformed policy, quota for women’s representation in local
government councils did not enhance their participation
• Lack of implementation monitoring and responsiveness to emerging issues allowed the
continued male resistance
• Societal reluctance to accept women leadership, a new phenomenon and family noncooperation
obstructed women councillor’s participation
• First timers in the formal world political institutions, women severely handicapped by lack of
knowledge and understanding of formal functions, responsibilities
• Absence of support , efforts to organise councillors for collective voice and action, frustrated
women in their new roles
• However continuous training, programme support gradually encouraged them to face
challenges
• Being large in numbers helped women gain confidence in raising collective voice. UP
women councillors now engage in interaction with local government departments for access
to information, activities in facing the challenge of male councillors. The female
Commissioners of one of the City Corporations filed a writ petition, won from the court the
right to participate in all functions of elected councils
Conclusion and reflection on future action
Conclusion:
• Process of political empowerment of women in Bangladesh slow in spite of strong
constitutional mandates and policy for advancement of women’s rights.
• Quotas in three critical sectors of governance, the Civil Service, the Parliament and the
Local government not equally effective in facilitating women’s participation & representation
Add from writeup, go to recoms in 3 sectors, conclude with the following points
• Adoption of quotas does not ensure women’s effective roles: appropriate implementation,
continued support important
• Willingness of government to empower women is essential for quota or any other instrument
to facilitate women’s participation and representation in the political space.
Suggested Future Actions:
In the CS the quota failed to create much impact particularly at the higher positions due to
inadequate education, social, family obligations, insensitive attitude of men
in the services, lack of appropriate monitoring of implementation of quota policy, nonresponsiveness
towards emerging issues etc.
After over three decades of Independence and despite affirmative actions women still constitute
not more than 12% in Class I Services.
In all categories of government jobs women hold less that the quota reserved for them.
Following from these a few measures may be suggested for making the quota effective in the
CS:
• Focussed attention to provision of lateral entry of women to higher levels of administration
• Priority in career advancement of female candidates as interim measure for a certain period
of time
• Careful monitoring of implementation, quick measures to address the emerging issues
• Motivate female officers to join challenging cadres involving transfers, frequent mobility;
ensuring adequate support structures
• Ensure appropriate accommodation, transport, schools and health facilities for children of
female officials
• Rigorous enforcement of such government orders as placement of couples in government
service in same or adjacent regions
The reservation of parliament seats for women filled by nomination proved a farce
Lack of willingness of parties in power to advance political role of women in the national
context a key reason for failure of quota system to empower women in Parliament
All parties in government avoided enabling capable, qualified women to enter Parliament by
introducing direct election of women reserved seats
Nomination allowed to continue only for benefit of the parties
Women’s movement demands actively engaging with different governments for reform cater
around the following:
• Constitutional provision of 60-100 reserved seats for women on rotational basis, raising the
total number of seats to 360-400.
• Clear demarcation of separate constituencies for women seats
• Infrastructure and other facilities for women candidates
• Mandatory nomination for women by all political parties
• Reduction of limit to election expenditures
The effectiveness of women to directly elected reserved seats in Local Government
marred by the flaws in the law, posed challenges to participation. Overlapping, larger
constituencies, un-clarity in orders, lack of information and orientation, social-cultural
obstacles and stiff resistance by men are issues hindering women
Representing the quota in local government served as a key instrument for opening the door
to formal political institutions to a large number of women at community level
Being elected on their own right and merit enables women councillors to raise voice,
demand for due rights
(Read from here)
• Facilitated large numbers of grassroots women to occupy formal political space, a potential
process towards formation of critical mass for social, political transformation
• Changing women’s role in family, society and politics hold potential of change in attitudes
towards women
• Presence in large numbers holds potential of formation of counter forces against
conservatism and patriarchal structure
• Created aspirations for public/political role among community women
Actions suggested to strengthen process of women’s empowerment in local government:
• Immediate review and revision of the faulty law, ensuring function and roles,
adequate resources and logistical facilities to women.
• Ensure direct access to relevant information to women councilors
• Facilitate networking of women councilors
• Ensure extensive training for councilors on LG and gender issues
• Ensure election to all LG s, Upazilla and District in order to enlarge number of
elected women representatives

What Does Women' Empowerment Mean?

What is women's empowerment? 
Women's empowerment has five components:  women's sense of self-worth; their right to have and to determine choices; their right to have access to opportunities and resources; their right to have the power to control their own lives, both within and outside the home; and their ability to influence the direction of social change to create a more just social and economic order, nationally and internationally. more....
Lisa Whatley Says---
Empowerment refers to increasing the spiritual, political, social or economic strength of individuals and communities. It often involves the empowered developing confidence in their own capacities.
Empowerment is probably the totality of the following or similar capabilities:

* Having decision-making power of their own
* Having access to information and resources for taking proper decision
* Having a range of options from which you can make choices (not just yes/no, either/or.)
* Ability to exercise assertiveness in collective decision making
* Having positive thinking on the ability to make change
* Ability to learn skills for improving one's personal or group power.
* Ability to change others’ perceptions by democratic means.
* Involving in the growth process and changes that is never ending and self-initiated
* Increasing one's positive self-image and overcoming stigma . more.....

The areas of Women' Empowerment:

Returning to the definition, we can find out the following areas of women'empowerment:

#Having decision-making power:
Clients of mental health programs are often assumed by professionals to lack the ability to make decisions, or to make "correct" decisions. Therefore, many programs assume the paternalistic stance of limiting the number or quality of decisions their clients may make. Clients may be able to decide on the dinner menu, for example, but not on the overall course of their treatment. Yet, without practice in making decisions, clients are maintained in long-term dependency relationships. No one can become independent unless he or she is given the opportunity to make important decisions about his or her life.

#Having access to information and resources:
Decision making shouldn't happen in a vacuum. Decisions are best made when the individual has sufficient information to weigh the possible consequences of various choices. Again, out of paternalism, many mental health professionals restrict such information, believing restriction to be in the client's "best interest." This can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, since, lacking adequate information, clients may make impulsive choices that confirm professionals' beliefs in their inadequacy.

#Having a range of options from which to make choices:
Meaningful choice is not merely a matter of "hamburgers of hot dogs" or "bowling or swimming." If you prefer salad, or the library, you're out of luck!

#Assertiveness:
Non-diagnosed people are rewarded for this quality; in mental health clients, on the other hand, it is often labeled "manipulativeness." This is an example of how a psychiatric label results in positive qualities being redefined negatively. Assertiveness-being able to clearly state one's wishes and to stand up for oneself-helps an individual to get what he or she wants.

#A feeling that the individual can make a difference:
Hope is an essential element in our definition. A person who is hopeful believes in the possibility of future change and improvement; without hope, it can seem pointless to make an effort. Yet mental health professionals who label their clients "incurable" or "chronic" seem at the same time to expect them to be motivated to take action and make changes in their lives, despite the overall hopelessness such labels convey.
#Learning to think critically; unlearning the conditioning; seeing things differently:
This part of the definition created the most discussion within our group, and we were unable to come up with a single phrase that encapsulated it. We believed that as part of the process of psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, clients have had their lives, their personal stories, transformed into "case histories." Therefore, part of the empowerment process is a reclaiming process for these life stories. Similarly, the empowerment process includes a reclaiming of one's sense of competence, and a recognition of the often-hidden power relationships inherent in the treatment situation. In the early stages of participation in self-help groups, for example, it is very common for members to tell one another their stories; both the act of telling and that of being listened to are important events for group members.

#Learning about and expressing anger:
Clients who express anger are often considered by professionals to be "decompensating" or "out of control." This is true even when the anger is legitimate and would be considered so when expressed by a "normal" person, and is yet another example of the way in which a positive quality becomes a negative once a person is diagnosed. Because the expression of anger has often been so restricted, it is common for clients to fear their own anger and overestimate its destructive power. Clients need opportunities to learn about anger, to express it safely, and to recognize its limits.

#Not feeling alone; feeling part of a group:
An important element in our definition is its group dimension. We believe that it is necessary to recognized that empowerment does not occur to the individual alone, but has to do with experiencing a sense of connectedness with other people. As was brought up numerous times during our discussion, we did not want to leave the impression that we considered the image of "John Wayne coming into town, fixing everything, and riding off into the sunset" to be synonymous with our definition!

#Understanding that people have rights:
The self-help movement among psychiatric survivors is part of a broader movement to establish basic legal rights. We see powerful parallels between our movement and other movements of oppressed and disadvantaged people, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, gays and lesbians, and people with disabilities. Part of all of these liberation movements has been the struggle for equal rights. Through understanding our rights, we increase our sense of strength and self-confidence.

#Effecting change in one's life and one's community:
Empowerment is about more than a "feeling" or a "sense," we see such feelings as precursors to action. When a person brings about actual change, he or she increases feelings of mastery and control. This, in turn, leads to further and more effective change. Again, we emphasized that this is not merely personal change, but has a group dimension.

#Learning skills that the individual defines as important:
Mental health professionals often complain that their clients have poor skills and cannot seem to learn new ones. At the same time, the skills that professionals define as important are often not the ones that clients themselves find interesting or important (e.g., daily bed making). When clients are given the opportunity to learn things that they want to learn, they often surprise professionals (and sometimes themselves) by being able to learn them well.

#Changing others' perceptions of one's competency and capacity to act:
If anything defines the public (and professional) perception of "mental patients," it is incompetency. People with psychiatric diagnoses are widely assumed to be unable to know their own needs or to act on them. As one becomes better able to take control of one's life, demonstrating one's essential similarity to so called "normal" people, this perception should begin to change. And the client who recognizes that he or she is earning the respect of others increases in self-confidence, thus further changing outsiders' perceptions.

#Coming out of the closet:
This is a term we have taken from the gay/lesbian movement. People with devalued social statuses who can hide that fact often (quite wisely) choose to do so. However, this decision takes its toll in the form of decreased self-esteem and fear of discovery. Individuals who reach the point where they can reveal their identity are displaying self-confidence.

#Growth and change that is never ending and self-initiated:
We wanted to emphasize in this element that empowerment is not a destination, but a journey; that no one reached a final stage in which further growth and change is unnecessary.

#Increasing one's positive self-image and overcoming stigma:
As a person becomes more empowered, he or she begins to feel more confident and capable. This, in turn, leads to increased ability to manage one's life, resulting in a still more improved self-image. The negative identity of "mental patient" that has been internalized also begins to change; the individual may discard the label entirely, or may redefine it to convey positive qualities.

River Linking Project of India; Impact On Bangladesh

 

Source: South Asian Tangle:Brigadier General M. Shakhawat Hussain Ndc,Psc