Bangladesh, once celebrated as a pioneer in women’s empowerment, is now facing significant setbacks. Indicators show declining female participation in the labour market, reduced representation in higher education, and historically low involvement in political leadership. At the same time, reports of violence against women and child marriage have escalated sharply, threatening progress on gender equality.
This year’s International Women’s Day carries the theme: “Rights, Justice, and Opportunities for Every Woman.” In a special message, Prime Minister Tarek Rahman expressed his commitment to building a nation where men and women enjoy equal rights and opportunities.
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Labour Market Challenges
Women’s participation in the workforce has declined due to family pressures, maternity leave constraints, limited access to safe transport, and a lack of women-friendly workplace environments. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Labour Force Survey 2024, the national labour force shrank from 73.4 million in 2023 to 71.7 million in 2024. Most of this decline is attributed to women leaving the workforce.
| Year | Total Labour Force (millions) | Female Participation Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 73.4 | Declining |
| 2024 | 71.7 | Sharper decline observed |
Experts highlight the urgent need for technical and technology-oriented education for women, as well as supportive policies like on-site day-care facilities for working mothers. Incentivising continued higher education and integrating graduates into the labour market could help reverse the downward trend.
Education: Gains and Setbacks
While girls outperform boys in primary and secondary education, they lag in higher education, particularly at universities. Poverty, child marriage, sexual harassment, unsafe transport, and residential hall shortages limit female participation.
| Education Level | Female Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Primary | 51.21 |
| Secondary | 54.84 |
| Higher Secondary | 50.75 |
| Public University | 48–52 |
| Private University | <47 |
| Technical Education | Significantly lower |
Political Leadership Decline
Women’s political representation is at a 25-year low. In the 13th national parliamentary election, female candidates made up only 4% of participants, with only seven elected out of 85 contenders. ActionAid Bangladesh attributes this decline to structural barriers, gender-based violence, and cyber harassment, all of which deter women from political leadership roles.
Rising Violence and Child Marriage
The year 2025 witnessed alarming increases in violence against women. Cases of rape and domestic abuse nearly doubled compared to 2024. UNFPA reports that 51% of Bangladeshi girls are married before 18, many becoming mothers at a very young age, heightening health risks.
Civil society advocates stress that empowerment extends beyond employment or wages. Shirin Parvin Haque, founder of Naripokkho, emphasises that true empowerment requires recognition of women as equal human beings and the creation of supportive environments across social, educational, and professional spheres.
As Bangladesh observes International Women’s Day, these statistics highlight the urgent need for government policy reform, societal change, and proactive support systems to restore women’s empowerment and ensure that rights, justice, and opportunities are accessible to all women.