Opportunities for girls

Despite the noise and fanfare about women empowerment, Bangladesh ranks 111th among 144 countries in providing opportunities to girls, according to a report by 'Save the Children'. The country has fared better than only war-torn Afghanistan in the South Asia region. It is time to stop patting ourselves on the back and work harder to improve the circumstances in which girls grow up here. 

Women's enrolment in schools, colleges and universities has increased significantly as a result of government policy. And yet child marriage remains the biggest barrier to girls' development with 52 percent girls being married off before they reach the age of 18. The figure is staggering and offers reasons for worry. Child marriage divests them of their freedom and dignity, exposing them to sexual violence and abuse. Early motherhood poses many risks such as a higher maternal mortality and child mortality rate. Poverty and lack of awareness continue to be the real reasons for this menace. 

Time and again girls have proved that attributes that are most valuable for progress—innovation, leadership, passion and courage—are not solely the domain of men. Overcoming the odds, they have been securing top positions in the merit list of the civil service exams for the past several years. The outstanding performance of women officers and soldiers of the Bangladesh Army in peacekeeping missions is all too well-known today. Wasfia Nazreen, a Bangladeshi young woman, last year achieved the rare distinction of climbing the seven highest peaks in seven continents.  

Girls' condition is the compass that sets the direction of development. The deeply ingrained gender bias and discriminatory laws women still face should be removed. Changing the mindset of society needs a radical rethink—engaging the government, the private sector, the NGOs and people from all walks of life.