Bangladesh has become a role model for woman empowerment in the world. Alongside many other countries, women's participation is increasing in politics, economic sector, sports sector and other arenas in Bangladesh.
Even many women in remote areas of the country are now part of mainstream activities. They are proving their skills in workplaces and performing better achievement.
The present government is working to women’s equivalent participation in all the sectors. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to increase women's participation in the workplace to 50-50 by 2041.
The government has formulated a progressive women's development policy in 2011. The number of seats reserved for women in the Jatiya Sangsad has been increased to 50.
In the local government system, 30 per cent representatives from women has been ensured. And special provisions have been made to increase the representation of women in public services.
Many achievements have been made for the empowerment of women during the governments under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The Prime Minister has already received the Global Women's Leadership Award for her role in the development of women's education and entrepreneurship. She has also been awarded the UN's 'Planet 50-50 Champion' and 'Agent of Change' awards.
The government has made several laws and regulations for the empowerment of women. At present, women are holding important positions such as judge in the apex court, secretary to the ministry, officials at field level administration, ambassador, Army officials, police officials including Superintendent of Police (SP) and Officer-in-Charge (OC), Human Rights activists.
Currently, around 550 women are holding high positions in the administration. Until 1982, there was no opportunity for women in this arena. At present, there are around 150 women are UNO and nine women hold the post of deputy commissioner. Khodeja Azam became the first woman secretary in Bangladesh in 1994. At present, out of 77 secretaries, eight are women.
In all, out of 7,532 officers in the administration at present, 1,860 are women officers. Majority of the woman officers are performing their duties with good performance. According to the latest statistics of the Ministry of Public Administration in 2019, the total number of women in government service is 3 lakh 96 thousand 417 people out of total 10 lakh 37 thousand 529 employees.
In recent times, the success of the country's women in putting a number of shelves internationally has caught everyone's attention. One of the women scientists Firdausi Qadri wins 22nd L'Oreal-UNESCO for Women in Science Award. She received the award for her research on infectious diseases in children in developing countries. Another Bangladeshi woman named Mahjabin Haque has joined NASA.
Apart from this, the girls of Bangladesh have maintained their success in sports. Internationally they are doing well in football, cricket and other sports. Fatema Zahara has got an opportunity to work as a coach at the legendary New South Wales Cricket Academy in Australia. Another woman Jaya Chakma is a FIFA referees in South Asia. And this time Jaya of Bangladesh will be the fifth FIFA and another female referee in Asia.
Around 70-80 percent of the eight million workers in the garment sector are women and 20 million women are engaged in agriculture, industry and services. So far, about 1,000 women Army and police officers have served in UN peacekeeping operations.
Prime Minister, Speaker of the Parliament, Opposition Leader in the Parliament are now women. Many female politicians are now performing duties as minister, state minister and deputy minister.
Eight woman ambassadors to different countries of the world including the United Nations are performing their duties efficiently. The first woman vice-chancellor, the first woman mountaineer, the first woman president of BGMEA and many others have been created in the last one decade.
Many women are involved in print and electronic media of the country. Women are also doing well in establishing industries. A large number of women are going abroad with jobs every year.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paved the way for this unprecedented empowerment and progress of women. According to the Global Gender Segregation Index, 2018, published by the World Economic Forum, Bangladesh ranks at the top of South Asia in reducing gender inequality in the world.
Sheikh Hasina was awarded the 'Lifetime Contribution for Women Empowerment' the Institute of South Asian Women awarded award for her role in women's empowerment.
Food Secretary and BCS Women Network President Dr. Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum told Bangladesh Post, ‘It is not an easy task to come to the top level of administration as a woman. Due to the positive attitude of the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, women are able to sign the qualifications for important posts.’