From Classrooms to Boardrooms: The Unfinished Journey of Bangladeshi Women

Bangladesh has achieved significant progress in women's education and economic participation compared to many countries in South Asia. Currently, the female literacy rate has reached about 72 percent, and gender parity in primary and secondary education has almost been ensured. About 60 percent of the workers in the country's ready-made garment sector, one of the main driving forces of the economy, are women, which forms an important foundation of the country’s more than 50 billion dollars in export earnings. According to recent data from the World Bank, the female labor force participation rate in Bangladesh is around 42 percent, which is higher than that of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

Justice Delayed: Over 10 Lakh Cases Pending in Women and Children Tribunals

More than one million cases are currently pending in the country’s Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals, with over 10,000 rape cases remaining unresolved for more than five years. Rights groups say the prolonged delays highlight deep structural problems in the justice system and demand urgent reforms.

The Guardian: Islamist Rise Sparks Concern for Women’s Rights Before Bangladesh Vote

As midnight struck, women carrying flaming torches marched through the streets of Dhaka, their chants rising above the city’s traffic. “The people shed their blood now we demand equality,” they cried. Across Bangladesh, recent weeks have brought both celebration and anticipation. After the violent student-led uprising in August 2024 that ousted Sheikh Hasina’s regime and left more than 1,000 people dead, the country is now preparing for its first promised free and fair election in 17 years, scheduled for Thursday.

Despite Being Key Voters, Women Barely Lead in Bangladesh Election

Female candidates remain significantly underrepresented in Bangladesh’s 2026 election, with only 85 women contesting out of 1,981 candidates. Despite women being a key voter group, their low presence in leadership and campaign activities highlights ongoing gender gaps in politics, say activists and candidates.

Women’s Political Rights Held Hostage by Religion-Based Politics

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has warned that the increasing influence of religion‑based politics is restricting women’s political participation and undermining gender equality and social diversity.

2025 Marks a Year of Deep Crisis for Women’s Rights, Safety and Freedom in Bangladesh

In the history of Bangladesh, the year 2025 will be remembered as a year of deep contradiction and conflict regarding women’s rights, freedom, and security. On the one hand, initiatives for women’s rights reform, women’s visible presence, and protests became stronger; on the other hand, violence, hatred, harassment, and conservative pressure reached alarming levels. Across various layers of the state, society, religion, and politics, the question of women remained at the centre of intense debate throughout the year.

231 Women and Girls Victims of Violence Across Bangladesh in October

A total of 231 women and girls were subjected to various forms of violence across the country in October this year, according to a report released by the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad. Among them, 130 were women and 101 were girls.

76% of Ever-Married Women in Bangladesh Victims of Spousal Violence: BBS-UNFPA Survey

About 76 percent of ever-married women in Bangladesh have experienced some form of violence by their husbands in their lifetime, according to the Violence Against Women (VAW) Survey 2024 released on Monday.

Can Afghan Women Ever Dance Among the Red Tulips?

Despite passage of ten centuries since the assassination of Rabia, writing poems has again been banned in Afghanistan since the Taliban gained control of the land in August 2021. Poems? Women cannot now even walk without being accompanied by a mahram or a male member of her family. Writing poems by women is considered as something to be ashamed of and it may result in public beating or even to death.