* In 300-seat Parliament, men and women can freely contest for those seats. The Constitutional Provision for 30 reserve seats for women expired before the last general election in 2001. To strengthen women’s effective participation in the Parliament, various options including increasing the numbers of reserve seats are presently under active consideration with the Government.

Women in Local Government:

The government took several measures for empowering women politically. The most important among those was reserving three seats for women out of the total seats in each Union Parishad. This is a milestone initiating a silent revolution in the political history of Bangladesh as well as for the political empowerment of grassroots women. In 1997, the Union Parishad election provided examples for the whole world as half-a- million women voters took part. It showed that despite many problem women candidates can compete in the general seats and could win the position of the Chairperson defeating their male opponents. Around 12,828 women were elected as members in the 1997 local level elections. A total of 25 Chairpersons and 110 women were elected as members in the general seats.

The government has taken several steps to ensure an enabling environment for locally elected women, so that they can play a proactive role in the decision making process. The major steps are ; a) increasing the number of Union Parishad Standing Committees from 7 to 12 for ensuring women members participation in the Standing Committees, b) expanding the number of Union Parishad Project Implementation Committee in order to provide women members as Chairperson in one-fourth of them, c) provision for nomination of three Union Parishad women members to Upazila Development Coordination Committee and d) creation of social welfare committees at every female ward assigning the position of the chairperson to the women members. But in many Union Parishad, Standing Committees women members have not been assigned with specific responsibilities despite their inclusion in committees. In most cases women members are expected to be in the job of looking after education, family planning and health care. There are two distinct types of local government institutions now prevailing in Bangladesh – one for rural and another for the urban areas. The local government in the rural areas represents a four- tier system – a) Gram Parishad b) Union Parishad, c) Upzila Parishad and d) Zila Parishad. The urban local government institutions are a) Pourashavas (Municipalities), and b) City Corporations (Municipal Corporations). Three seats for each Union Parishad and municipalities are reserved for women who are directly elected by the voters.. The number of reserved seats for city corporations depends upon population in the respective areas.

Table 2 : Provision for women’s participation at Local Bodies.

Rural and Local Government Tiers	Reserved women Members
Union Parishad	4479x3=13.537
Zila Parishad	64x3 =192
Pourashava (Municipality)	183x3 =549
City Corporations (4) Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi	30+10+10+10 = 60

Challenges:

In spite of significant development, women’s participation in political process face some major problems. These include lack of appropriate and adequate organizational arrangements within political parties for women’s participation, low inclusion of women in the political parties and specially in the decision making hierarchies and lack of political training of women. However, the reservation of seats of women in the elected bodies should have a positive impact in ensuring some representation of women and enabling women to learn about the organization of different bodies and the political process as a whole.

C. Women in public Service

The goal of economic development of Bangladesh is to enhance the wellbeing and quality of life of the population through growth with justice for both men and women. Over the last two decades emphasis was laid on ensuring gender equality and mainstreaming gender through various policies and strategies to ensure participation of women.

Government has undertaken some special measures for women to ensure their participation in employment sector. A quota system was introduced with 10% to recruitment in gazetted posts and 15% of recruitment to non-gazetted posts reserved for women. There is also a provision for reserving 60% of all vacancies for female teachers in the Primary School Teaching. In addition special initiative has recently been taken to appoint women in senior levels of administration i.e. in Deputy Secretary and Joint secretary posts.

The experience of the last two decades in Bangladesh shows that though female participation in the public sector is increasing gender inequality persists. The total number of females in all classes of public sector is only 10%. Class- wise female participation was higher in class III jobs (12%) and lowest in class IV (6%). Female participation was more or less same in class I and II jobs, which constituted 8% of the total strength of their respective groups. It can be seen that the female participation in the Department of Women Affairs and directorate was higher (12%).

Utilization of the job quota reserved for females in different years varied from 37% to 100%. For example, in 1997 –98 more than half of the BCS cadre service quota was filled, while the percentage of female job quota filled in 1995-96 was 99%. Only twice were the BCS exams able to fill 100% of the quota set aside for women.

Between 88% and 100% of the General Cadre (GC) quota reserved for women was filled by intakes from the13th (1991-1992) to19th (1997-1998) BCS examinations. On the other hand, utilization of the quota for the professional technical Cadre (PTC) varied from 26 to 99 percent over the same period. Many females have been employed outside the reserved female quota. Specifically, 56.93 percent of the female service holders in the general cadre were employed through the female quota, while nearly two thirds of the females in the professional technical Cadre were employed through merit and other quota (tribal, district, etc).

In 1999 there were 110, 201 male and 53, 245 female teachers at the primary school level which constituted about 33 per cent The information provided in table, given below indicates that with exception of 1997 percentage of primary school teachers female quota filled in ranged from 76% in 1998 to 80% in 1996.

Table 3 : Utilization of Female Job Quota in Primary Teacher Recruitment

Year	No. of posts vacant	No. of posts available under female quota(60%)	Female appointed through quota	% of quota filled
1996	4258	2555	2036	79.69
1997	6663	6998	912	22.81
1998	10734	6440	4899	76.07
1999	21655	12933	7847	60.67

Source: Official Record of PMED

Article 8: Equal Opportunity for International Representation and Participation

State Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure to women, on equal terms with men and without any discrimination, the opportunity to represent their Governments at the international levels and to participate in the work of international organizations .

There are no legal obstacles for women representing Government internationally. Government has taken some steps to increase women participation and international representation. These are; (i) inclusion of women in the diplomatic services, (ii) sending women in UN Peace mission, (iii) various delegations have also included women in international seminars and workshops. There are also a number of women serving in various international and UN organization abroad.

2.9 Article 9: Equal Rights with Regard to Nationality

State Parties shall grant women equal rights with women to acquire, change or retain their nationality. They shall ensure in particular that neither marriage to an alien or change of nationality by the husband during marriage shall automatically change the nationality of the wife, render her stateless or force upon her the nationality of the husband.

State parties shall grant women equal rights with men with respect to the nationality of their children.

Nationality in Bangladesh is determined by birth. Women enjoy equal rights to their nationality, but not with respect to the nationality of their husbands/children. According to the Citizenship Act of 1951 , a person can inherit citizenship only from the father but not from the mother. Also a woman’s husband cannot be entitled to a naturalized citizenship through her. The spouse of a Bangladeshi man may receive citizenship but the contrary is not allowed.

Third meeting of the National Council for Women’s Development, chaired by the Honourable Prime Minister, held in September 2002. One of the agenda of the meeting was Citizenship Act of 1951. Being concerned, the government is actively considering bringing necessary amendments to bring equal opportunities for both men and women.

2.10 Article 10: Equal Rights in the Field of Education

State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in order to ensure to them equal rights with men in the field of education and in particular to ensure on a basis of equality of men and women.

The same conditions for career and vocational guidance for the achievement of diplomas in educational establishments of all categories in rural as well as in urban areas; this equality shall be ensured in pre-schools, general, professional and higher technical education, as well as in all types of vocational training;

Access to the same curricula; the same examinations; teaching staff with qualifications of the same standard and school premises and equipments of same quality;

The elimination of any stereotyped roles of men and women at all levels and in all forms of education by encouraging co-education and other types of education which will help to achieve this aim and, in particular, by the revision of textbooks and school programmes and the adaptation of teaching methods;

The same opportunities of benefit from scholarships and other study grants;

The same opportunities for access to programmes of continuing education, including adult and functional literacy programmes, particularly those aimed at reducing, at the earliest possible time, any gap in education existing between men and women;

the reduction of female dropout rates and the organization of programmes for girls and women who have left school prematurely;

The same opportunities to participate actively in sports and physical education

Access to specific educational information to help ensure health and well-being of families, including information and advice on family planning.

Education is a fundamental right of an individual. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights says “Every one has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary fundamental stage. Elementary education shall be compulsory”. The Government of Bangladesh through the Ministry of Education is making efforts to protect and promote the right to education despite monumental challenges. Foremost of these efforts is the implementation of effective measures for establishing a uniform, mass-oriented and universal system of education and extending free and compulsory education to all children. The Constitutional provision on education is attuned with the universal call for ‘education for all’. The National Policy on Education (2000) declared that all children would be provided free and compulsory primary education. The policy has also given top priority to female education and the government is determined to have hundred percent literacy rates by the year 2005.

Statistics shows that the situation of women regarding education is improving gradually. Female literacy (Age 7+) rate rose from 31.4 in 1996 to 42.5 in 1998. Enrolment rate for girls at primary level reached 94.94, dropout rate of girls at primary level is decreased. The literacy rate (estimated) of male and female (15+ above) is 72% and 56% respectively. The government introduced Universal Primary Education to increase the rate of enrolment of children. The net enrolment rate of boys and girls at the primary level is 80 percent and 82.9 percent respectively. Gender parity has been achieved in enrolment of primary schools, the ratio of boys and girls is 51:49. Adult literacy rate (15 years and above) has gone up from 47.3 in 1996 to 51.3 in 1999

The enrolment rate of girls rose from 33.33 % in 1996 to 41.57 % in 1999 because of the innovative Female Secondary School Assistance Project (FSSAP) launched in 1993.

The specific objectives of the project are to: increase the enrolment of girls in grades 6-10 and assist them to pass School Secondary Certificate or equivalent examination, increase number of secondary education teachers in the project schools and raise the proportion of female teachers, promote a supportive community environment for girls education through widespread public awareness about the merits of female educational, social and economic development.

However, the dropout rate remains high at secondary levels. The present government is determined to reduce the gender gap in enrolment and decrease the dropout rates of girls. Education was free for girls up to class ten and a cabinet has recently decided to raise it up to class twelve.

The present Government has made girls’ education up to grade 12 free of cost. In addition, cash stipend is given to all enrolled girl students.

The Government has made primary education for all eligible children of the country compulsory. To prevent dropouts at the primary level, each month the Government provide Tk. 100 cash incentive for each child and Tk. 125 for more than one child if they maintain more than 80 percent attendance. Annually, the Government spends Tk. 665 Crore only for this incentive program.

Table 4 : Dropout, repetition, Completion and Retention Rates in Junior Secondary and Secondary Level of General Education, 1999

	General Education
Indicator	Junior Secondary Total	Girls	Secondary Total	Girls
Dropout Rate	21.3	18.4	57.9	52.1
Repetition Rate	10.5	8.0	15.1	14.3
Completion Rate	81.6	78.7	47.9	42.1
Retention	86.1	84.5	89.1	88.1

Source : Bangladesh Basic Education Information Service 1999

Some other steps are as follows:

There is a national training council, which has well formulated National Training Strategy and National Training Policy. Government has put special emphasis on education and training objectives in Fifth five-year Plan.

The objectives of the Fifth Plan are;

to make institutional arrangement for imparting technical and vocational education at the Upzila level;

to enlarge and upgrade the base of general/science/ technical education at all levels of education and lay the foundation of a knowledge-based society so as to address development challenges more effectively;

to ensure optimum use of existing educational facilities at all levels;

to utilize the multi-sectoral potentials of education with respect to other objectives;

to ensure participation of women in every sphere of education as well as to reduce the gap between facilities provided for male and female education;

to improve management of educational institutions through involvement of local bodies;

to improve physical and health education at primary and secondary levels;

The present Government is very keen to enhance the literacy rate of women, especially that of rural women. In this regard, concrete programmes along with increased budgetary allocation has been kept reserved for them which interalia would leave a positive impact towards increasing the literacy rate of rural women .

Details of some recent initiatives are in Part III.

2.11 Article 11: Equal Employment and Training Opportunities.

State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of employment in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, the same rights in particular;

The right to work as an inalienable right of all human beings;

The right to same employment opportunities, including the application of the same criteria for selection in matters of employment;

The right to free choice of profession and employment, the rights to promotion, and security and all benefits and conditions of service and the right to receive vocational training and retraining, including apprenticeships, advanced vocational training and recurrent training;

The right to equal remuneration, including benefits and to equal treatment in respect of work of equal value, as well as equality of treatment in the evaluation of the quality of work;

The right to social security, particularly in cases of retirement, unemployment, sickness, invalidity and old age and other incapacity to work, as well as right to paid leave;

The right to protection of health and safety in working conditions, including the safeguarding of the function of reproduction.

In order to prevent discrimination against women on grounds of marriage or maternity and to ensure their effective right to work, State Parties shall take appropriate measures:

To prohibit subject of imposition of sanctions, dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy or of maternity leave and discrimination in dismissals on the basis of marital status;

To introduce maternity leave with pay or with comparable social benefits without loss of formal employment, seniority or social allowances;

To encourage the provision of the necessary supporting social services to enable parents to combine family obligations with work responsibilities and participation in public life, in particular through protection the establishment and development of a network of child-care facilities;

To provide special protection to women during pregnancy in types of work proved to be harmful to them.

Protective legislation relating to matters covered in this Article shall be reviewed periodically in the light of scientific and technological knowledge and shall be revised, repealed or extended as necessary.

The Constitution recognizes employment generation and poverty alleviation as the fundamental responsibility of the State. Poverty alleviation was the major theme of the Fifth Five Year Plan. According to the traditional definition of labour force, women’s productive work within the household is not included. Women are equally eligible for recruitment for public sector employment. Equal pay and benefits have been ensured for women in terms of pay, house rent, medical allowance, etc. The employment of qualified women to senior planning and decision making positions through contracts and lateral entry, and the increase in quota provisions to raise in the proportion of women at various levels. Opportunities for professional, technical and administrative positions through special training are inadequate. It is also necessary to encourage the private and public sectors to employ women in executive, managerial, sales and technical positions.

Maternity Leave and Daycare:

The Government has recently increased the maternity leave by a month amounting to four months to assist women in their reproductive and productive roles. At the same time, the Government has also started day care facilities at the office premises to help working parents with young children. Recently the Government has issued a directive that any organization having 10 or more working women must have a day care facility within its vicinity. The private sector industries are under constant pressure from the government and civil society to implement maternity leave provisions under the existing labour laws of the country. The Government has declared May 28 as the “Safe Motherhood Day”.

2.12 Article 12: Equality of Access to Health Care

State Parties shall take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care in order to ensure, on a basis of equality with men and women, access to health care services, including those related to family planning.

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1 of this article, State Parties shall ensure to women appropriate services in connection with pregnancy, confinement and post-natal period, granting free services where necessary, as well as adequate nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.

Women get lesser share in the household distribution of food especially protein and services compared to men and boys. In terms of distribution of labour, women bear a major share of economic, reproductive and family responsibilities. Women often neglect their own health because of unending demands on their time, energy and socialization pattern. Consequently, low nutritional status and ill health is common amongst most women in Bangladesh.

The Government of Bangladesh has declared National Health Policy, 2000, which is a pro –people policy with sharper focus on women, children and the poor. It is also committed to implement the recommendations of the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) 1994 and its plus five review in 1999. Another important step is the formulation of National food and Nutrition Policy 1997.

The fundamental objective of the National Health Policy is to ensure health services for all in Bangladesh and to reduce the population growth rate. The goal and key objectives of the National Health Policy are based on some important factors such as: a) ensuring accessibility of poor and vulnerable groups to health services; b) increasing acceptability and quality of health care at all levels; c) improving maternal and child health care and d) strengthening physical facilities and human resources employed in health care delivery. The National Food and Nutrition Policy emphasized on food security at household levels particularly at poor households and raising awareness about food value and gender biases in food distribution at family levels.

National AIDS policy has been adopted. The Population policy is finalized. Reformulation of Medical Code of Ethics is in the process. Measures were taken to eliminate harmful and inappropriate medical and family planning interventions for women. Measures were also taken to respond to cases of violence against women. Two One-Stop Crises Centres are functioning in DMCH and RMCH. A 50 – bed Unit for burn – patients is operating in DMCH. Women friendly hospitals being introduced in 32 hospitals to improve the health services for women.

The Government has approved a Health and Population Sectors program (HPSP) in 1998. The goal of HPSP is to contribute to the improvement of the health and family welfare status of women, children and the poor. Many activities have been undertaken to increase women’s access to, participation in and control over resources and services in the Health and Family welfare Sector to achieve gender equity. The Ministry of Health and family Welfare has developed Gender Equity Strategy (GES) to provide overall strategic direction to gender mainstreaming in the HPSP and to contribute to the poverty reduction goals of the government.

Health and Population programs of Bangladesh in the past made significant achievements especially in lowering fertility and improving child health status. The life expectancy at birth was 61 years for men and 60 years for women 1998 as compared to 58 years in 1995.

According to the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 1999-2000, the child survival has increased considerably since 1980s. Infant MMR in Bangladesh declined from 100 deaths per 1000 live births during 1985-1989 to 66 deaths per 1000 live births during 1995-1999 periods, an average rate of decline of nearly 4 infant deaths per 1000 live births per year. Under-five mortality declined from 116 deaths per 1000 live births in 1992-1996 to 94 for the period 1995-1999. Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 1999-2000 showed that 60% of the children 12-13 months are fully immunized. Although the level of coverage for BCG was 91% while 71% received all three doses of DPT, Polio and Measles.

Maternal Mortality is a serious issue in Bangladesh. Maternal mortality is three per 1,000 live birth. About 70% of mothers suffer from nutritional deficiency and anemia. Less than 40% of the population has access to basic health care, 50% of pregnant women do not receive antenatal care, 40% of them received ante natal care from trained medical providers (Bangladesh Maternal Medical Survey -2001). Over 90% of all deliveries still occur at home without assistance from skilled birth attendants. The percentage of trained birth attendant increased from 8% in1993 to 23.7 in 2000. The number of facilities having basic Emergency Obstetric Care (EOC) was 0.41per 5000.000 populations in 1994, which increased to 0.60 in 1999.

The total fertility rate has declined dramatically from 6.3 children per women in 1971-1975 to 3.3 in 1997-1999, a decline of 48% over a 25-year period. Although total fertility rate has declined, high fertility is persistent. Contraceptive prevalence rate has increased from 51.5per to 53.6per over time. Male use of contraception is extremely low.

The age of girls at first marriage has increased over time. However, the mean age of first marriage for women who were aged 20-24 in 2000 was 16.8 years. There is an evidence of raising age of first marriage of women.

However, the importance of women’s health to the wellbeing of the family and society has been assigned high priority by the Government. Significant efforts are being made for promoting women’s health and in generating employment opportunities for women in the health sector. Women occupy roughly 30% of total work force in the health sector, the majority being in front line and community based service delivery roles.

Article 13: Equal Rights with Regard to Economic and Social Benefits

1. State Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in other areas of Economic and Social life in order to ensure, on a basis of men and women, the same rights, in particular

The right to family benefits

The right to bank loans, mortgages and other forms of financial credit

The right to participate in recreational activities, sports and all aspects of cultural life.

Rights to Family benefits

In 1997, Bangladesh withdrew reservation from the Article 13. (a) on the basis of recommendations of inter ministerial committee of CEDAW, headed by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MWCA). The Constitution of Bangladesh supports equal rights of men and women to family benefits. Certain articles in the constitution provide equal rights and equality of opportunity--- “ Women shall have equal rights with men in all spheres of the State and of public life”, Article 28 (2) and “the State shall endeavour to ensure equality of opportunity to all citizens.” Article 19(1).

In Bangladesh women enjoy same benefits like men in government services. In government service, same rules and regulations are applicable to women and men in entitlement of pensions and medical allowances. In case of housing allowance and government accommodation, both male and female government personnel have equal rights. Married women government servants are also entitled to their own housing allowance and such benefit are not withdrawn from them, even if their husbands receive housing allotments. The reverse is also true. In some cases women are positively discriminated. For example, while allocating government accommodation women applicants are accorded three years seniority in the waiting list.

In 1993, the then BNP government first enacted the law that for lifetime, widow would be entitled to three fourth part of pensions of deceased husbands who served the government. The government service rule stipulates that both husband and wife in government service should be posted in one place as far as possible in order to minimize disruption in family life and incurring financial losses. Recognizing women’s practical gender needs, Government has recently increased paid maternity leave from three months to four months.

Challenges:

Although it is important to ensure equal family benefits for women and men through legal sanctions, existence of clear rules and regulations, the need for sensitization and dissemination of information relating these benefits are also crucial. The government has addressed this need and ‘Foundation Training Programme’ for the Cadre service personnel and other formal sources provide information on rules, regulations and benefits applicable to government service holders.

Rights to Bank Loans, Mortgages and Other Forms of Financial Credit

Credit plays a pivotal role in all development efforts. One of the important factors for empowering women is access to credit facilities and other economic resources. In Bangladesh, credit for women need to be analyzed in the context of its source, mechanism and nature. Grameen Bank, BRAC, ASA, PKSP and other non-government sources provide micro credit to poor women in the range of taka 1,000- 10,000. Bangladesh has earned international reputation where NGOs sponsored schemes targeted towards lending to women on preferential basis without collateral. Grameen Bank is playing a pioneering role in this field. Almost (about 2 million) of all the clients of the lending programme of Grameen Bank are women. A few other major non-government agencies have included 75,3001 poor women in their micro credit programmes until 1999. It is evident that with access to finance, poor and assetless women have made positive contributions to family education, nutrition and family income. It has facilitated the process of increasing their participation in decision-making process. The recovery rate of Grameen Bank loans is around 98%.

A number of public sector agencies are also providing support for the growth of industries, trade and businesses. Some of them are working for the promotion of enterprises and some have focused programme for women. The Government sector agencies are involved in promotional and regulatory activities for helping entrepreneurship among women. These types of activities include broad range of services like providing pre-investment and post-investment counseling, technical information, scouting, credit arrangement, infrastructure facilities, management and skills development training, market and diagnostic studies, product development, sub-contracting and co-ordination with other agencies. The public sector agencies which provide such services are; Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, Women Entrepreunership Development Programme, Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha, Department of Women Affairs and also programms of other financial institutions.

During 1999-2000, Bangjadesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation has distributed a loan of Tk 211.19 million for 19760 cottage and Tk. 2,648.87 million for 940 small-scale enterprises. Women Entrepreunership Development Programm identified 38 various trade areas for lending. The ceiling of such loan is Tk. 60,000. The project however lacks many essential ingredients of comprehensive entrepreneurship development. The project is operating in forty upazilas and during the period 1982 to June 2000 it extended credit facilities to 95,158 women, disbursed an amount of Tk. 571.028 million, and recovered Tk. 522.11 million.

Jatiya Mohila Shangstha, one of the implementing agencies of the MWCA has initiated a project in all 64 districts of Bangladesh with the assistance of UNDP, has started entrepreneurship development programme for potential women. The project “ Entrepreneurship Development of Women ” was initiated in July 1998 for a period of five years with a target to support 7000 rural women. The project supports those who are graduates of micro-credit programmes of various agencies like Department of Women Affairs, Jatiya Mohila Shangstha, Department of Youth Development and other agencies. The credit limit is Tk. 30,000 – Tk.150, 000 though so far the highest limit of credit disbursed has been Tk. 70,000 only.

In addition, Bangladesh Rural Development Board, Department of Social Welfare, Department of Women Affairs, Department of Youth Development, Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training offer various skills and management training facilities to their respective target group women and extend credit facilities to them.

Financial and Credit Institutions

The financial institutions and banks generally extend credit facilities to women under micro-credit oriented poverty reduction programmes. The interest rates vary depending on the cost of the fund. There are some funds given by Bangladesh Bank and certain designated banks for this purpose and some organizations also uses donor funds. The Bangladesh Bank circular directs the commercial banks to lend at least 15 percent of their lending capital for the industrial sector. Recently Sonali bank, has initiated a project through its Dhanmondi ladies branch, titled ‘ Credit for Urban Women Micro Enterprise Development ’, which offers loan to women between Tk. 50 thousand to 2 hundred thousand without collateral. Janata bank has also started lending for women entrepreneurs to a few of its branches in Dhaka city.

Credit to women has been viewed in the context of poverty alleviation programmes pursued by both Government and Non-government organizations. There is a growing awareness among Government and Non-government agencies that emerging needs should view women in a broader perspective involve them in large-scale investment by providing necessary credit. There is also a need to modify rules and regulations of financial institutions for creating better financial environment for women.

Challenges

Credit arrangements that exist for women entrepreneurship development in the country need to be more gender sensitive and financial institution should not only work as lending agency rather they can play counselling role to promote women entrepreneurs. During the period of trade liberalization, contribution of private banks towards women entrepreneurship development in the country needs to be strengthened. Reaching out to more female clients is also a big challenge.

Recreational Activities, Sports and Culture

The Article 15 (c) of the Constitution of Bangladesh mentions about the right of all citizens to reasonable rest, recreation and leisure. Creating an environment for increasing participation and development of latent talents of all groups of women and men by age, class and other criteria in sports and cultural activities is a challenging task. In addition to inadequate resources including infrastructural facilities and absence of effective mechanism, there are gender specific problems such as cultural barriers, religious orthodoxy, traditional views about women’s potentials in culture and sports. Resource constraints specific to women in terms of financial, time, expected roles and responsibilities within and outside home are also important deterrents. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of problems, government has made specific policy commitments about ensuring women and girls’ participation in sports and culture. The policy documents Fourth five-year Plan (1990-1995) and the Fifth five-year Plan (1997-2002) reflected government’s commitments.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports and Culture has emphasized the need for creating specific infrastructure to provide scope and facilities for women and girls. Recent Annual Development Programme (ADP) 2000-2001 of this sector included specific infrastructure projects; Construction of a Women Sports Centre in Chittagong Divisional Quarter and Construction of a Women Sports Centre at Comilla District Quarter. In ADP 2000-2001, there are several projects targeted both to women and the men such as; Establishment of Regional Training centre of Bangladesh Krira Shikha Protisthan (BKSP i.e. Institute of Sports), organizing for sports competitions for 12-16 years age group of Boys and Girls from Union to National Level, Establishment of Shooting Complex at Bangladesh Krira Shikha Protisthan etc. Women’s participation in national, regional including South Asian Federation and international games has been largely promoted and increased compared to that of the last decade.

In cultural activities, though women play a prominent role as actresses, singers, dancers, writers etc. very few women are seen as producers, directors and in other non traditional professions. Women are gradually gaining prominence as directors in television, radio, theatre and other cultural media compared to film. Government is also promoting cultural heritage of tribal people in respect of their language, religious belief and cultural practices as it has been considered a fundamental right. Tribal women are also special target group in such promotional activities. Some noteworthy projects are; Tribal Cultural Academy, Establishment of Cox’s Bazaar Cultural Centre including Rakhain Community, Establishment of Tribal Museum cum library, Construction of Tribal cultural Institute Complex, etc.

2.14 Article 14: Particular problems faced by Rural Women

1. State Parties shall take into account the particular problems faced by rural women and the significant roles which they play in the economic survival of their families, including their work in the non-monetized sectors of the economy and shall take all appropriate measures to ensure thee application of the provision of this Convention to Women in rural areas.

2.State parties shall take appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in rural areas in order to ensure on the basis of equality of men and women, that they participate in and benefit from rural development and, in particular, shall ensure to such women the right.

a)To participate in elaboration and implementation of development planning at all levels;

b)To have access to adequate health care and family planning, social security, education and extension services; participation in self help groups and community activities; access to agriculture credit and other facilities and adequate living condition;

c)To benefit directly from social security programme;

d)To obtain all types of training and education, formal and non formal, including that relating to functional literacy, as well as interalia, the benefit of all community and extension services, in order to increase their proficiency;

e)To organize self help groups and co-operatives in order to obtain equal access to economic opportunities through employment or self employment;

f)To participate in all community activities;

g)To have access to agricultural credit and loans, marketing facilities, appropriate technology and equal treatment inland and agrarian reform as well as in land resettlement schemes;

h)To enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to housing, sanitation, electricity and water supply, transport and communication.

The development objectives set in the Fifth Five Year Plan (1997-2002) for rural development, Co-operatives and Local Government sectors were formulated with poverty eradication as the main thrust. Moreover the government has approved Rural Development Policy, which has emphasized on poverty reduction, which includes women. The Rural Development Policy has a strategic component for reducing gender gap, which includes production and employment program, social mobilization and empowerment of poor, micro credit for rural financing and human resource development with special emphasis on women.

The development objectives set in the Fifth Five Year Plan include reduction of poverty in the rural areas; productive employment creation for the rural poor; development of rural infrastructure; self-employment creation for the rural poor and development of small and landless farmers. The main strategies for achievement of the above objectives set in the plan are; employment for distressed and destitute rural poor, providing infrastructure facilities for majority of the village dwellers, expansion of agricultural raw material production, formal and informal group formation and group development for co-operatives activities, resource mobilization through individual group savings, expansion of irrigation based agriculture. Most of these objectives and strategies are women friendly.

The poverty reduction performance improved during the nineties. The rate of reduction of rural poverty during the first half of the nineties was 0.9 percent per annum. Since the poor are not a homogenous group and they may be defined by social group, gender contexts etc., it is important to assess poverty reduction from different dimensions. Poor women, particularly female headed households in rural and urban areas belong to extreme poverty level. Various micro-credit, micro enterprise programmes of government and non-government levels have targeted this vulnerable group. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has been given the administrative charge of the Vulnerable Group Development Programme. The VGD is expected to be implemented at a cost of Tk. 598.00 million Tk. and 623, 370 million tons of wheat for a period of four years from 1996-2000. Under this Programme, 11 million women will have food security and facilities for training, health care and self-employment. Though Bangladesh sets an unique example of micro credit programme for poverty reduction, the challenges are to bring out poor women from poverty trap and increase women’s participation in paid formal employment sector.

Participation of rural women in planning and implementation of development planning at all levels particularly at local level is gradually increasing through various programmes under GO and NGOs collaboration, micro financing institutions and through Union Parishad efforts.

Though locally elected women at Union Parishad play limited roles in identification of development projects, local level planning and social mobilization, it has already been recognized that they are the critical groups for ensuring effective implementation of local level planning. The Government has already formed various committees to expedite local level development work and elected women members as chairpersons and general members in these committees. This ensures greater local level participation of women in leadership position.

There is already an increasing demand to ensure accessibility to adequate health care, family planning, social security, education and extension services; participation in self help groups and community activities; access to agriculture credit and other facilities with adequate living condition need to be expedited.

It is expected that Health and Population Sector Programme (HPSP) will play a major role in addressing the health needs of rural poor particularly women and children. HPSP is at the end of its first phase and 2 nd phase will start from June 2003. It aims at improving the health and family welfare status of the general mass, particularly the poor, and the most vulnerable segment of women and children in Bangladesh.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and other GOB agencies have undertaken various programs to make rural women self-reliant. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is already implementing a good number of projects for economic empowerment of women through capacity development of women. Some of these noteworthy projects include Entrepreneurship development, Begum Rokeya Training Centre, OISCA etc. In Bangladesh, millions of women have benefited and become self-reliant because of micro credit programs, which in turn will contribute to the faster national development. Moreover the Abashan project has provided shelter to homeless people and women who given ownership of house jointly with their husbands. Till 2001, 26, 340 families have been rehabilitated under this program. During the same period, Tk. 864 million were spent as old age pensions for widow and abandoned women. Special funds are allocated to important safety net programs for destitute people including women beneficiary groups. A Support Fund for Destitute Women and Children amounting to 20 million taka and Destitute Welfare Fund amounting to 50 million taka have also targeted the vulnerable group. Although the sum is modest, it still is expected to start rolling helpful programmes, which in time may be expanded to cover a wider number of beneficiaries.

Table 5 : Safety net program

In Crore Taka

Program	1995-96	1996-97	1997-98	1998-99	1999-2000	2000-01
Food for work	558.53	810.81	836.00	715.58	806.00	934.00
GR & TR	400.76	256.10	258.71	210.23	272.00	193.00
VGD	0	215.27	225.09	208.90	228.00	236.00
VGF	0	0	76.24	584.81	229.00	217.00
School Feeding	0	0	1.02	0	0	0
Others	1.74	15.24	0.51	65.88	1.00	0
Total	2860.03	3196.42	3296.57	3684.40	1535.00	3579.00
Growth	-12.65%	35.00%	7.72%	27.75%	-13.96%	2.86%
GDP	166324.0	180701.3	200176.6	219697.2	237085.6	258067.9
Total/GDP	0.58%	0.72%	0.70%	0.81%	0.65%	0.61%

Source: Economic Review 2001, P: 113

Table 6 : Micro Credit Program of 3 Specialized Institutions

	Cumulative June 97	1997/98	1998/99	1999/2000	2000/01	Cumulative Dec. 2000
Grameen Bank
No. of Branches			1137		1149	1160
Beneficiary			1481418		2357000	2378356
Female			1363805		2239150	2255699
Male			117613		117850	122657
PKSF
Partner Organization			178		172	178
Beneficiary			1481418		1789063	219418
Female			1363805		1603978	1974978
Male			117613		185085	217440
BRDB
Samity			33184			51003
Beneficiary			863288			1343666
Female			-			963342
Male			-			380324

Source: Economic Review 2001, P: 119

2.15 Article 15: Equality before the Law and in Civil Matters

The State parties shall accord to women equality with men before the law;

State parties shall accord to women, in civil matters, a legal capacity identical to that of men and the same opportunities to exercise that capacity. In particular, they shall give women equal rights to conclude contracts and to administer property and shall treat them equality in all stages of procedure in courts and tribunals.

State Parties shall agree that all contracts and all other private instruments of nay kind with a legal effect which is directed at restricting the legal capacity of women shall be deemed null and void

State parties shall accord to men and women the same rights with regard to the law relating to the movement of persons and the freedom to choose their residence and domicile.

This sections primarily deals with the status of women in civil laws and discussion under Article 16 has covered provisions of the personal and family laws.

Women are guaranteed equality with respect to men before the law except for those covered under the personal laws. Contract Law1972 sanctions both women and men’s rights to contracts, including those related to credit, real estate and other property as well as other commercial transactions, in their own names. Women are increasingly participating in the judiciary, through civil and family courts and they are entitled to represent clients before courts and tribunals. In 1999 in total 75 women were serving as District Judges, Additional District Judges, Sub Judges, Senior Assistant Judges and Assistant Judges and their number has been substantially increased in recent years. As per law, courts treat women equally with men in respect of litigation, seeking legal counsel or aid, rights to sue and assert testimonial right. (Source: Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs).

The Government has introduced Legal Aid Fund for poor people particularly women, through district administration but due to lack of awareness and information, at times the fund remains inaccessible and unutilized. NGOs also provide legal aid services to the poor.

The law also provides equality in relation to freedom of movement, choice of residence and domicile. In practice, women’s domicile is determined by cultural norms and in most cases a woman resides with the father till her marriage and after marriage, she resides with her husband. When separated or divorced her domicile generally becomes that of her father or brother(s).

2.16 Article 16: Equality in Marriage and Family Law

1. State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all matters relating to marriage and family relations and in particular shall ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women;

the same right to enter into marriage;

The same right freely to choose a spouse and to enter into marriage only with their free and full consent;

The same rights and responsibilities during marriage and at its dissolution;

The same rights and responsibilities as parents, irrespective of their marital status, in matters relating to their children; in all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount;

The same rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the information, education and means to enable them to exercise these rights.

The same rights and responsibilities with regard to guardianship, wardship, trusteeship and adoption of children, or similar institutions where these concepts exist in national legislation; in all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount;

The same personal rights as husband and wife, including the right to choose a family name, a profession and an occupation;

The same rights for both spouse in respect of ownership, acquisition, management, administration, enjoyment and disposition of property, whether free of charge or for a valuable consideration.

(2) In Bangladesh child marriage is prohibited and the betrothal and the marriage of a child shall have no legal effect, and all necessary action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage and make the registration of marriages compulsory.

In Bangladesh, minimum age of marriage for girls and boys is 18 years and 21 years respectively.

Personal Laws at a glance

Dispensing equal opportunity to all citizens is a fundamental principle of the state policy. The Constitution of Bangladesh grants equal rights to women and men in all sphere of public life (Article 27, 28(1), 28(2), 28(3), 28(4), 29(1), 29(2) and 29(3)). Besides there are general legislative provisions aimed at achieving equality for women under law such as the Family Law Ordinance of 1961, Family Courts Ordinance of 1965, Dowry Prohibition Act of 1980, Child Marriage Restraint to Women (Deterrent Punishment) Ordinance of 1983, The Muslim Family Laws (Amendment) Ordinance of 1982 and 1985, The Penal Code (Second Amendment) Ordinance of 1984, The Family Courts Ordinance of 1985 etc.

The Personal laws have been protected even during the British regime in India. Except a few Legislations, during that period, Muslims, Hindus, Christian, Buddhists, who formed the principal religious communities in the sub-continent were at liberty to accept and uphold Personal laws in the matter or divorce, dower maintenance, guardianship and custody of children. After Independence of India in 1947 the Personal Laws were recognized and the courts were following the trials under Personal Laws of men and women under religion and communities. Since independence, Bangladesh has adopted the previous Laws under the Laws Continuation Order, 1972 . The Family Court Ordinance 1984 has, however, made certain changes in procedures regarding maintenance, divorce, dower, inheritance, and restitution of conjugal rights among the Muslims in Bangladesh.

Religious precepts influence issues like marriage, divorce, custody of children, inheritance of property etc. In case of Muslims, Personal Laws draw from Shariah. Hindu law governs the Hindu population. Significant provisions in Muslim Family Laws, particularly in case of polygamy, divorce etc. is already revised to protect women’s interest. Such reforms also indicate that the interpretations of Shariah are not rigid and thus offer scope for fresh considerations for the well being of people and society. While the Government endorses the need for undertaking measures, it is well aware of the need to prepare the society for ensuring greater acceptance of measures taken for reformation of personal/religious laws.

The society faces the problem of less than satisfactory implementation of Personal laws. Particular references may be made to Marriage Registration Act, Dowry Prevention Act and law related to polygamy . It is well recognized that the problems related to increasing dowry, child marriage can not be handled only through legal enactments. Improving women’s economic condition, educating women, raising mass awareness have multiple positive impacts, which will facilitate the process of eliminating dowry, polygamy and early marriages. The government is aware of this fact and has already made some notable progress in the field of women’s economic and social empowerment. Different ministries including the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and broader civil society have been working on creating mass awareness against various problems particularly regarding dowry, polygamy and early marriage.

Regarding incompatibility between Personal laws and the Constitution, it may be noted that there have been many recent (personal law) cases, where the higher Judiciary gave verdicts on the basis of the Constitutional provisions and liberal and pragmatic interpretations of laws to protect women’s rights and uphold gender equality. Such cases demonstrate that there is scope for restricted application of laws that are inconsistent with the Constitution. The Government is committed to remove such incompatibilities taking into due consideration to the long prevalent traditions in the society.

Optional Protocol

Bangladesh has ratified the Optional Protocol during UN Millennium session in september 2000. Bangladesh is one of the top ten countries to ratify which enabled the Protocol to enter into force. Thus, Bangladesh has demonstrated strong commitments for implementing CEDAW by ratifying the Optional Protocol. As CEDAW did not have equal mandatory status like other International Human Rights Conventions, with legal authority at the international level for investigating complaints of gross violation of human rights, introduction of the Optional Protocol provided CEDAW with a legal basis to investigate complaints, lodged by person/groups of countries that ratified the protocol.

The matter of withdrawing reservation from Article 2 and 16.1,© is under active consideraton of the Government.

Part III. Measures taken by the Government to implement the Beijing Platform for Actions in the critical areas of concern.

The Government of Bangladesh has started implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action immediately after the Fourth World Conference held in Beijing in 1995 by translating its commitment into a national plan of actions. In line with the commitments made during the conference, the government of Bangladesh developed a National Action Plan (NAP) in 1998 through a consultative process involving all stakeholders from the government and civil society. As a nodal agency for women development, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs served as catalyst to facilitate the process.

The twelve critical areas identified in the PFA are at the core of the NAP. Beijing Plus Five meeting has assessed the implementation status of Beijing PFA identifying new challenges.

The implementation status of NAP has been elaborated under Part II. This part mainly focuses on major initiatives taken particularly after Beijing Plus five meeting in June 2000 giving reference to previous policy and measures and some critical areas of PFA.

Women and Poverty

In recent budget (2002-03), fund allocated for destitute women have increased. So far, 43% of the budget has been allocated for poverty alleviation and a large number of beneficiaries are women. In this effort, Vulnerable Group Development Programme (VGD) is probably the largest development intervention that extensively targets vulnerable segments of women. Some 255,000 women, including female headed household VGD Women in 57 Upazila of seven districts received training in marketable income generating skills, nutrition and other relevant issues contributing to improved living. Presently the project is working with 85,824 VGD Cardholders in 57 Upazila of 7 districts. The female beneficiaries are selected by Union Parishad Committee from the economically vulnerable and socially most disadvantaged women who are, functionally landless. Having an extremely low and irregular household income, women belonging to critical childbearing age, lacking productive assets and preferably heading a household are eligible for such benefits. It is a multi-donor assisted nationwide Programme covering more than 500,000 hard core poor rural women in Bangladesh. The Programme is a model for successful partnership among government, bilateral and multilateral development partners particularly World Food Programme and NGOs. A large number of hard core poor women are able to earn their livelihood through self-employment through such program.

There are 32 poverty alleviation projects which are being implemented since 1991-2002 by DWA and JMS are involved in reducing poverty of women directly and indirectly. The total number of beneficiaries were 1303360, of which 320463, 587522 and 395375 women have been involved in credit, training (vocational) and credit & training programs respectively.

3.2 Women and Decision-Making

3.2 Political Empowerment of Women: Ensuring Participation at Grassroots Level

Power and decision-making are two vital areas of national life. The Constitution guarantees the right of women to participate in political and public life. However, in practice women’s representation in political institutions at the national as well as in the policy and administrative decision-making spheres still needs to be increased..

3.2 Increase in the Number of Women in Decision-making

Women in Administration

1995	2002
10% quota for Gazette, 15% quota for non-gazette posts and 60% quota for women in primary teachers recruitment were reserved	Quota Continued
Women in Civil Service ( Deputy Secretary and above) Secretary ----------------- 01 Additional Secretary ----- 01 Joint Secretary ------- 03 Deputy Secretary ------ 06 --------------------------------------- Total 11	Women in Civil Service ( Deputy Secretary and above) Secretary ------------------- 01 Additional Secretary------ 00 Joint Secretary ------------ 04 Deputy Secretary --------- 24 ---------------------------------------- Total 29 The Honorable President introduced special quota for recruiting women in senior positions.

Source: Computer Centre, Ministry of Establishment, May 2002

Women working in various administrative positions regularly receive training. A few women have been promoted to senior level government positions through lateral entry. Women participation in the executive body of different organizations has increased. So far, four women have been appointed as Joint Secretaries in various ministries through use of presidential quota. The present Government as an ongoing and continuous effort is pursuing advancement of women.

Considering women’s participation in public service, it may be observed that only 80%of total quota provision have been fulfilled in the general cadre but in administration and technical cadres only 60% of total quota provision has been fulfilled. In engineering and agriculture cadres the women participation is insignificant. The Government has adopted a policy and pursuing its implementation to involve women in the army, navy and air force. Out of total number of 61 High court judges, two are women. Besides there are several judges in district courts and Magistracy.

3.3 Education and Training of Women

Education is a fundamental right and a major indicator of human resource development. Present government has undertaken a noteworthy and mentionable step for increasing the rate of female education. Primary school stipend is being given to both poor girls and boys. The poor parents receive Tk. 100 per month for sending one child and Tk. 125 for two or more children. A provision has been introduced for stipend and free education for girls up to grade XII. This is to encourage parents to send their girl child to schools. Education sector receives the highest allocation from the national budget of the Government. The government has given special emphasis for imparting various skill developments and human resource development training for women. The rate of female teacher in government primary schools is 37% though 60% quota against vacant posts is reserved for women. In addition to this earlier policy in relation to relaxation of qualification for recruiting more female teachers is being followed. Minimum general qualification for female teachers is School Secondary Certificate (Grade X) while for male candidates it is Higher Secondary Certificate (Grade XII) plus Certificate in Education course or Bachelor’s Degree.

There is also a provision for promoting teachers’ training Programme for women both at primary and secondary level schoolmaster. Different ministries are imparting various skill development and human resource development training such as, vocational and technical skill training, training on livestock, fisheries and other agro-based activities to women. Training on cooperative management, social awareness raising training, formal and non-formal education, adult literacy training etc are also available for women.

3.4 Women and Health

Some of the noteworthy measures taken by the Government during recent periods are:

a) Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has adopted the National Strategy for Maternal Health , a comprehensive work plan to ensure safe motherhood for all women through out the country,

b)Under Health and Population Sector Programme (HPSP), Unified Behavior Change Communication (UBCC), a massive multi-dimensional campaign, with its gender responsive characteristics, is going on for effective implementation of the HPSP.

c) HPSP 2 nd phase (2001-2003) incorporated gender aspects in the Programme at planning stage,

d) The government will start a Mid wifery training and provide support service to the Family Welfare Assistant/Family Welfare Volunteer to attain all child births under skilled birth attendant as a skill mix approach, and

e) Initiative taken to engender policy and research in relation to health under Gender and NGO Stakeholder Participation Unit of Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare.

3.5 Violence against Women

Violence against women is increasing despite efforts to curb those. Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 , was formulated by the Parliament to arrest the problem of violence. It provides capital punishment to offenders.

Some noteworthy measures undertaken by the government are: establishing (i) special cell for women in the police headquarters and four police stations, ii) Committee for the prevention of violence against women at the national, district and upazila levels, iii) violence prevention cell in DWA and JMS, iv) special courts with session Judges or additional session Judges at District level, v) providing training for the Law Enforcing Agencies, vi) legal aid for the victims of violence, vii) program for combating women and child trafficking, viii) establishment of a foundation for the acid survivors which seeks to provide the treatment and overall rehabilitation for acid survivors, ix) setting up shelter homes for abused and tortured women and strengthening awareness raising programs, and x) setting up of special tribunals for summary trial of sensitive cases and speedy disposal of acid throwing cases.

Other measures and laws enacted have been discussed in detail in Part II.

The Government has adopted a National Policy on Children in 1994. The Government has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Form of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention of the Rights of Children (CRC) and provisions of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention (Prohibited forced or compulsory labour 1930, Abolition of Forced Labour 1957 and abolition of child labour under ILO.

Women and Armed Conflict

For Bangladesh, the issue of armed conflict is not significant; its position is principled rather than arising out of practice. In the global context, it believes that greater participation of women is required for effective resolution of conflicts.

Women and Economy

Women in Labour Force

Duration	Male Labour Force	Female Labour Force
1995-1996	3.05 crore	2.01crore
1999 -2000	3.75 crore	2.28 crore

Employment in Broad Economic Sector

Sector	1995-96	1999-2000
Agriculture	Male 54.4% Female 74.4%	Male 59.4% Female 67.8%
Non Agriculture	Male 45.6% Female 22.6%	Male 40.6% Female 32.2%

Source - Labour Force Survey 1995-96, 1999-2000

The Government since 1990s is undertaking steps to increase the participation of women in labour force. According to the labour force survey 1997, women participation has increased substantially. A large stream of female labour is directly contributing to the export oriented industries such as garment, tea and frozen fish. Moreover many initiatives have been taken since Beijing Conference both in Government and private sectors to enhance women’s economic empowerment.

3.8 Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women

Some recent initiatives taken in this area are mentioned below.

3.8.1. The District Coordination Committee: Ensuring Bottom up Planning

Gender mainstreaming is a major issue, which needs coordinated efforts and commitments from the policy making level down to the implementation levels. The District WID Coordination Committee is a unique effort to ensure this. It creates an effective mechanism for bottom-up planning and implementation of policy recommendations at the local level. The aim of the committee is to ensure participation of various actors at the local level for implementing different activities related to women’s development in accordance with the National Policy and the National Action Plan.

In December 1998, the Cabinet Division issued a directive to form WID Coordination Committees in all districts and upazillas. The Deputy Commissioner and the Upazila Nirbhai (Executive) Officer chair these committees at the district and the upazila level respectively, while the Women Affairs Officer acts as the member secretary. Besides this, a 22-members body including local government officials and opinion leaders has also been formed at the local level representatives for better coordination and implementation of the National Policy and the National Action Plan at district and local levels.

Terms of Reference of the CommitteeDistribute National Action Plan for Women Advancement at grassroots level declared by the Government and recommended for undertaking Project towards women development through identification of Women Development areas;Implement all objectives in National Action Plan of Women Advancement;Monitor and Evaluate programme/ projects/ activities related to women development undertaken by Government and other agencies at District and Thana levels Box 1 : Objectives of WID Coordination Committee

3.8.2 Strengthening of MWCA

A Policy Leadership and Advocacy Unit (PLAU) has been set up to strengthen the capacity of the MWCA as a nodal agency on women’s issues. The main components of this unit are: strengthening capacity of MWCA; strengthening linkages with GOB machinery, specifically, WID Focal Points mechanism, communication and liaison with inter and intra-government agencies and establishing linkages with selected civil society and media.

Technical Assistance through Gender Facility Project of the Ministry is also there to strengthen the Ministry and provide all out support and assistance .

Revision of Allocation of Business of MWCA

The Allocation of Business (AOB) of MWCA has been revised to reflect the specific responsibilities as the national focal point and incorporate the expectation of broader civil society in relation to its roles as the lead ministry on women’s advancement issues. The main focus of the AOB is to adopt development approach instead of welfare approach for addressing women’s issues. The AOB also provides legitimacy to the MWCA to work jointly with the NGOs and broader civil society for mainstreaming women development.

For strengthening WID Focal Point mechanisms some noteworthy steps are; revision of TORs, revisions of reporting formats, formation of sub WID Focal Points at agency level, establishment of WID/Associate Focal Point Committee at the Ministry of Planning.

Human Rights of Women

Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 was formulated to protect women and children from heinous crimes such as rape, dowry, grievous injury etc. The law makes provision for the punishment of sexual abuse and sexual harassment. The law also has put restrictions on the media so that the victims’ privacy is protected. The introduction of the concept of the safe custody is one of the most important features of the law. This act introduced capital punishment in cases of rape, and grievous injuries. The important features of the Act are:

Speedy investigation and trial of cases will be held in tribunals and all crimes under the ambit of the law are non-bailable, with few exceptions

A summary tribunal titled Women and Children Repression Tribunal would be formed for every district town to dispose of the related cases

The tribunal will complete the trial process within 180 days

The investigation should be completed within 60 days of the order by a magistrate or filing of the case

Under a provision of the law, a rapist will pay for the upkeep of a child born as consequence of rape.

In September 2002, in third meeting of the National Council for Women’s Development, a decision was made to bring certain amendment to stop misuse of the Act.

3.10 Women and Media

1995	2002
Government Commitment More participation of women in mass-media Freedom of Mass-media Balanced presentation on women issues in national and international media.	More effective role of media for gender sensitization 133 minutes program on women issues in Radio Separate page for women in national newspapers. Modern Role of Women highlighted in the newspapers Women involvement in electronic media, especially in reporting .

In order to assess and identify the extent to which the media is gender sensitive, and are covering and portraying women's situation the Policy Leadership and Advocacy for Gender Equality (PLAGE) Project of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has undertaken and completed two Research publications titled "Gender sensitivity of Bangladesh Press” and "Screening Television and Radio Programme from Gender perspective".

3.11 Women and the Environment

Women are affected directly and adversely both through man made and natural calamities such as floods, cyclones, droughts, arsenic contaminated water related problem, prriver erosion, salinities, drying of wetlands, deforestation, using agrochemicals excretion of industrial waste, commercial shrimp cultivation, inappropriate land use, unplanned high rise buildings big dams and embankments. The Government has adopted National Environment Management Plan (NEMAP) and Sustainable Environment Management Plan (SEMP) , which has a strong focus on needs of women. Different projects undertaken by different ministries on environment social forestry sector considered women’s relation with environment as key areas for intervention. The Ministry of Forest and Environment is implementing a project for Sundarban’s Biodiversity Conservation, which includes role of women in plantation, seed production and progress on nursery and forestry conservation. The government is undertaking measures for providing safe drinking water for people faced with problems arising from high level of arsenic in drinking water. Women have been included in water management programs and waste disposal programs in municipal areas.

3.12 The Girl Child

GOB Commitment	Progress
Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against girl child Abolition of all negative culture towards girl child To stop violence against girl children To strengthen the role of family for improving the status of girl child To eliminate discrimination in health and nutrition for girl child	GOB has approved the National Plan of Action for Children (1997 - 2002) focusing on Basic Education Health and Nutrition Water and Environmental Sanitation Special Protection Social Integration Cultural Affairs Information and Communication

Source: Bangladesh Country Paper. Presented in UN General Assembly on Beijing plus Five, June 2000.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is currently implementing a pilot project called “Empowerment and Protection of Adolescent Girls” with assistance from the UNICEF. The project has demonstrated a considerable progress in empowering adolescent girls living in streets and red light area.

Part IV. Concluding Observations and comments: Response to the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Bangladesh (12/08/97).

The following is the progress report at a glance of the Concluding Observations of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) made upon the Country’s submission of Combined Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CEDAW, 1997.

Response to Recommendation 449: The Government of Bangladesh ratified CEDAW in the year 1984 initially with reservations on a few Articles. The government has already withdrawn reservations from Article 13(a) and 16.1(f). The government has already taken steps with an effort to address the remaining two reservations (Article 2 and 16.1c) and those are under active consideration of the government now.

Response to Recommendation 450: In order to ensure the substantial welfare of women through improvement of their health, the Government of Bangladesh has declared National Health Policy 2000 which is a pro-people policy with sharper focus on women, children and poor. The fundamental objective of the National Health Policy is to ensure health services for all in Bangladesh and to reduce the population growth rate. The government is implementing Health and Population Sector Program (HPSP) 1998-2003 the goal of which is to contribute to the improvement of the health and family welfare status of women, children and poor. Many activities have been undertaken to increase women’s access to, participation in and control over resources and services in the Health and Family Welfare sector to achieve gender equity. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has developed Gender Equity Strategy to provide overall strategic direction to gender mainstreaming in the HPSP. Under HPSP, Unified Behaviour Change Communication (UBCC), a huge multi-dimensional campaign is going on for the effective implementation of HPSP, with its gender-responsive characteristic.

Gender Component has been incorporated in the training modules of different training programs of the medical professionals.

The Ministry of Health and Family welfare has adopted the National Strategy for Maternal Health, a Comprehensive work plan to ensure safe motherhood all over the country. The government has given top priority on the safe motherhood issue and declared May 28 as Safe Motherhood Day. By observing this day, the Government is trying to create awareness and responsibility building among the people, service providers as well as all concerned level.

Response to recommendation 451 : The basic principles of the National Policy for Advancement of Women and the National Action Plan (NAP) to implement Beijing Platform for Action, which are the two guiding tools for all sectors have put much emphasis on implementation of the CEDAW and suggested specific measures. The National Policy has categorically committed to eradicate rape, prostitution, dowry and violence against women and also the physical, mental and sexual harassment of women at family and social level as well as at work place, provide legal assistance to oppressed women, prevent trafficking of women and rehabilitate the distressed, promote awareness at national and international level against violation of women during armed conflict and war and take all possible steps to combat violence.

The National Action Plan for Women’s Advancement has already been in the implementation stage, which emphasizes the strategy of mainstreaming women’s development in all government policies and programs by all sectoral ministries and agencies. Besides the mainstreaming approach, the NAP also emphasizes to strengthen the existing violence cell of MOWCA.

There is a Central cell in the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs to co-ordinate the violence related cases with other related ministries and agencies. There are also similar cells in the Department of Women Affairs and Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha, the two implementing agencies of the Ministry to assist victims of violence.

In the Ministry of Home Affairs, there is also a central cell to monitor violence related crimes against women. In addition, two more cells are there: one in Criminal Investigation Department and another in Border Defense Regiment (BDR), which are working for speedy disposal of trafficking cases and taking actions against those criminal offenders.

The Inter-ministerial Committee on combating violence against women with the Honourable Minister of MWCA as chairperson, meets at regular interval to monitor the violence related cases, situation and also to discuss the priority steps to be taken in this regard. This Committee is also extended up to district and upazila level, under the MWCA to address the violence situation countrywide.

The law entitled Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000” is enacted to combat the crime of violence against women very sternly. The law provides stern punishment including death sentence, life imprisonment for the crime of rape, abduction, dowry and trafficking related violence.

To combat raging menace of acid attacks, particularly on women, the Government has recently enacted a tough law entitled “Acid Control Act 2002” to control production, import, sale and use of the deadly chemicals. Under the law, a National Council for controlling the production, import, sale and use of the deadly chemical is already working. The Government will provide rehabilitation center for acid-victims and assistance for their treatment.

“Acid Crimes Control Act 2002” has been enacted to address the acid related cases more sternly. The new law has the provision of tougher punishment including death sentence for splashing acid on people causing death and serious injury. More than one tribunal courts are underway for ensuring the speedy trial of the acid-violence related cases.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has started implementation of a multi-sectoral pilot project violence against women. Under this project, “One Stop Crisis Center” has been established to provide legal, medical and other required assistance to oppressed women, especially those of victims of acid violence. Initially this centre is operational at present in Dhaka and Rajshahi Medical College Hospitals, which will gradually expand in other parts of the country.

The MWCA also implementing another project “Child Development Coordinated Project to Combat Child Trafficking” supported by thre NORAD. The main objective of this project is to carry out motivational activities and support the efforts of other organizations working in the areas of combating prostitution and rescuing, repatriating and rehabilitating the trafficked-out victims.

Response to Recommendation 452: The Ministry of Women ad Children Affairs has set up a Safe-Custody Home for women prisoners, who are under police custody as a victim of a crime but yet to be convicted as a criminal. The Government has undertaken this Safe-Custody Home, a commendable initiative to protect them from any sort of possible harassment in jail. Initially this home has been established on a pilot basis under a project of the Ministry, which would gradually be expanding, as a permanent set-up. The centre would also provide different kinds of vocational training for the prisoners in order to enable them to lead a decent life in future.

Response to Recommendation 453: The Government is well aware of the impacts of globalization on semi and unskilled women workers. After year 2004, the WTO will remove the quota system on ready made garments production, tax holiday, GSP etc., which might ultimately affect our labor intense industries where most of these women are working. Another impact of globalization is that free market economic policy has increased the volume of imports of global goods. Consequently, traditional and indigenous industries are on the threat of closing down as the produces of these cottage industries are comparatively more expensive than those of imported goods. These industries are usually family-based industries and most of the workers are women. Presently these women workers are at risk of losing their jobs, which ultimately will affect the economic well being of women and children. The numbers of female-headed households are also increasing as men are migrating to city areas in search of employment. The Government is negotiating with WTO to maintain the Multi Fiber Arrangement, which it currently enjoys.

The Government of Bangladesh is planning to take necessary steps for rehabilitating those women workers by creating access to micro credits supports and skill development training programmes for making them self-reliant. With new skill development training, they even can work overseas as migrant workers. The Asian Development Bank has expressed its willingness to support the Government in this endeavour.

Response to Recommendation 454: The Government has been working relentless towards sensitizing all tiers of the government functionaries with regard to make them gender friendly. At the same time, motivational programs are on to bring a change in the social outlook towards women. Gender issues and concerns are gradually being incorporated in the training curricula of all the government departments like administration, judiciary, police, medical professionals and others. On behalf of the Government, the Ministry of Women and Children affairs has been arranging workshops, seminars, dialogue with different professional groups like journalists, lawyers, media persons to make them gender sensitized. Various researches have been conducted to evaluate the programs of the news and mass media in terms of gender sensitivity. Timing for programmes on women issues in the mass media have been increased and shown regularly than before. Motivational programs with a view to enhancing social awareness in matters relating to women’s human rights, combating trafficking, violence including the domestic violence are broadcast on a more regular basis than before.

Response to Recommendation 455: While sensitizing the media towards gender sensitivity, portrayal of positive images of women has been encouraged. Prominent women personalities are often invited in different discussion programs to give their views on different social issues from gender perspective.

Response to Recommendation 456: with regard to improving the working condition of women workers in the export processing zones, pragmatic programmes such as housing for women workers and day care centers have been planned and are being implemented gradually which inter alia would yield positive results in the area.

Response to Recommendation 457: Ensuring the safety of the migrant women workers is not entirely in the hands of the Government as the country they are migrated to is also involved in the matter. Incidence of sexual harassment or exploitation of the migrant women workers, especially of the unskilled and not so educated labour force has been a point of concern for the Government. Therefore considering the risk involved in the process, there has been a embargo from the Government side with regard to migration of the women workers. However, the government is working in consultation with different national and international agencies and organizations to sort out the problem in a positive tone.

Response to Recommendation 458: Through the Local Government Ministry, the government has been taking different initiatives to ensure the systematic birth and marriage registration. Revised birth registration forms have been developed to register detailed and all required information. Initially the forms have been introduced in the city corporation areas. Eventually the entire country will be covered under the program. Along with government effort, people’s active participation in this regard is necessary. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs being the lead Ministry in the matters relating to women and children is playing the advocacy role. Information booklets explaining the procedure to be followed and the necessity for birth and marriage registration have been published and disseminated countrywide by the Ministry to create public awareness and seek their active co-operation in this regard. In order to make the machinery motivated to get the work done properly, Honourable Prime Minister has introduced award as an incentive for the best performing local machinery.

Response to Recommendation 459: In pursuance of combating all types of the violence and crimes against women including trafficking, the government has already strengthened the “Women and Child Repression Act 1995” by enacting another Law entitled Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000” providing stern punishment including death sentence, life imprisonment for the crime of rape, abduction, dowry and trafficking related violence.

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has undertaken a pilot project entitled “Coordinated program to Combat Child Trafficking in Bangladesh”. Among others, the project aims at developing an effective administrative set-up and mechanism to address the trafficking issue, rescuing and rehabilitating the victims of trafficking, providing effective legal protection and justice in trafficking related cases. Media, both print and electronic are used to sensitize people at all levels about trafficking of women and children. TV slots are regularly shown with specific objectives of making people aware of and action to be taken at community level. Attempts are made to alert the border post in this regard.

Response to Recommendation 460: The Government has already considered the development plans from gender perspective. In recent year, women are considered as a distinct target group by the national development plans. The comparative study of the five-year plans for different phases show that recent five-year plans have emphasized empowering women. The Fourth five-year plan (1990-1995) strategies included mainstreaming gender in the development approaches, the plan emphasized the development of poor and disadvantaged women. The Fifth five-year Plan has committed to reinforce the implementation of CEDAW, PFA, NAP etc. The upcoming Sixth five-year Plan has categorically incorporated eight micro chapters, which are Agriculture and Rural Development, Industry, Education, Energy, Health, Transport and Communication, Labour and Employment and Science and Technology.

The need to integrate gender issues into development planning is felt in all stages of the planning process. In response to this urgent need, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, as a lead agency for women’s development has taken some major steps including development of Gender Equality Planning Tools Handbook. This handbook consisting of five gender analysis tools is designed to integrate gender concerns and needs into the design and implementation stages of all development projects. The five tools are (a) Gender Analysis Framework, (b) Eight Sector, Specific Gender Analysis Checklists, (c) Violence Against Women Prevention Guideline, (d) Guideline for the Integration of Gender Equality in Five Year Plans and (e) A Gender Analysis Tool for Policy Review. These tools will definitely assist planers to integrate gender equality issues in programs and projects of the Government of Bangladesh.

Response to Recommendation 461: The Government of Bangladesh recognizes that education is the most effective means of reducing gender disparity and furthering the empowerment of women. Various programs undertaken by the Government have produced positive results in female literacy rate. Student enrolment has gradually been going up following the introduction of compulsory primary education in the year 1990. The ratio of female student at primary level has also been increasing since then. The introduction of stipend for girls up to Grade ten in all 460 upazilas in the country since 1993 has been very helpful in terms of increasing girls’ enrollment in the school and it has also reduced the dropout rate significantly. In the current year, the Government has made education free for girls up to Grade 12, which has been made effective since last January. The government has also arranged stipend for girl students at this level. All these will definitely result into enhancing the female literacy rate even further. Within the social sector, education sector receives the highest allocation in the national budget. Government is also implementing vocational training programs in schools at the district level to make women better skilled for the job-market. The Government is committed to extend highest possible assistance to eradicate illiteracy from the country with a special emphasis on girls’ education.

Response to Recommendation 462: Studies and researches have come up with the suggestion that poverty is the root cause behind prostitution in most of the cases. Consequences of prostitution are healthy neither for women involved nor for the society as well. Women who are involved in this work are the worst victims, as this becomes a sort of social stigma for them because of different social, cultural and religious values of the respective countries.

On behalf of the Government of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Social Welfare has taken up a project “Capacity Building, Poverty Alleviation and Sustainable Livelihood of the Socially Disadvantaged Women and their Children” for sex-worker women. Through this project, the government has tried to rehabilitate the sex-workers in a particular shelter home. Some of them have already gone back to their parents while some others entered the marital life with the help of the Government.

Response to Recommendation 463: Reservations of 30 seats for women in Parliament was introduced in 1979 and remained valid until 2001. The present government is considering the reintroduction of the reserved seats of women in the Parliament and the matter of increasing the number of reserved seats in the Parliament is under the active consideration of the Government.

A quota system for women was introduced for increasing the number of women in public service, which is 10 percent for gazetted officers and 15 percent for other categories. Quota percentage for female primary teachers has been 60 percent of all vacant posts in government primary schools. To reduce gender gap at decision making level, there is also presidential quota through which women are being directly appointed at the decision making level.

Response to Recommendation 464: In the light of these concluding remarks, it is evident that steps have taken to address different areas of concern like violence, health, and education. Civil societies and different women organizations are also working in these areas.

Part V. References

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), December 2000,Government of Bangladesh

World Bank, 2000. World Development Indicators

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), December 2001, Preliminary Report of Household Income and Expenditure Survey, 2001

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), August 2001, Population Census 2001, Preliminary Report

Bangladesh Labor Force Survey 1985, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)

Bangladesh Labor Force Survey 1991, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)

Bangladesh Labor Force Survey 1999-2000 (unpublished)

Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 1999-2000

Bangladesh Maternal Medical Survey, BBS, 2000

Narripokho, 2000

Women in Administration, Ministry of Establishment, 2002

Bangladesh Country Paper to UN General Assembly on Beijing Plus Five, June, 2000

Third And Forth Periodic Report in accordance with article 18 of the convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women, 1997

Bangladesh Household Survey, BBS, 2000

Bangladesh Country Paper. Presented in UN General Assembly on Beijing plus Five, June 2000.

Household Expenditure Survey (HES), BBS, 2000

Fourth five-year Plan (FFYP 1990-95), Government of Bangladesh

Fifth five-year Plan, Government of Bangladesh, 1997-2002

National Policy for Advancement of Women (NP), 1997 , Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Government of Bangladesh

National Action Plan (NAP), 1998, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Government of Bangladesh

Samata, Bangladesh Decade Action Plan for the SAARC Decade of the Girl Child [13] and Statistical Pocket Book, 1999, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

Official Record of Primary and Mass Education Division, Government of Bangladesh, 2002

National Education Policy 2000, Ministry of Education, Government of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, 2000, Government of Bangladesh

National Health Policy, 2000, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh

National food and Nutrition Policy 1997, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Bangladesh

Economic Review 2001

Computer Centre, Ministry of Establishment, Government of Bangladesh, May 2002

National Policy on Children, 1994, Government of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Basic Education Information Service 1999