Case Study: Gender Mainstreaming in Bangladesh

Introduction

Gender mainstreaming in Bangladesh has been an important part of the country's efforts to promote equality between men and women. This process involves making sure that the needs and experiences of both men and women are included in all policies and programs.

This case study looks at the gender mainstreaming efforts in Bangladesh, the strategies used, and the challenges and successes faced along the way.

Background

Bangladesh is a developing country with a history of inequality, especially for women, in areas such as education, employment, and politics. Over the years, the government, along with various organizations like BRAC and UN Women, has been working to improve gender equality.

Key challenges that prompted gender mainstreaming efforts include:

• High maternal mortality rates and limited access to reproductive health services.
• Gender-based violence and discrimination in public and private spheres.
• Lower participation of women in formal education and the workforce.
• Limited political representation of women in decision-making bodies.

Gender Mainstreaming Strategy in Bangladesh

The Government of Bangladesh, along with international donors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and civil society, has employed a comprehensive gender mainstreaming strategy across various sectors:

1. Political Participation and Legal Reforms

• The National Women’s Development Policy (NWDP) was adopted in 2011 to promote gender equality in governance, politics, and economic activities. This policy emphasizes equal rights for women in education, employment, and property ownership.
• Reserved seats for women in parliament: Bangladesh has reserved 50 seats for women in the national parliament, ensuring that women have a voice in the country's legislative process.
• Legal frameworks to prevent violence against women were strengthened, including the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010, and the Prevention of Oppression Against Women and Children Act, 2000. These laws aim to protect women from domestic violence, sexual harassment, and dowry-related violence.

2. Economic Empowerment of Women

• The Access to Finance for Women Entrepreneurs initiative, led by the Bangladesh Bank, provides financial literacy and microcredit programs to help women entrepreneurs start small businesses. This initiative has successfully brought more women into the economic mainstream.
• Employment and Livelihood Programs such as the Rural Employment and Road Maintenance Program and the Ultra-Poor Graduation Program (run by BRAC) target women from impoverished communities, providing them with income-generating opportunities, skills training, and access to credit.
• Gender-responsive budgeting has been introduced in national budget planning, ensuring that resources are allocated to programs that address gender disparities.

3. Education and Health

• Bangladesh has achieved gender parity in primary and secondary education enrollment, with girls often outperforming boys in schools. Government-led initiatives, such as the Female Secondary School Stipend Program, provide financial incentives to families for sending girls to school.
• In the health sector, the government has worked to reduce maternal mortality through initiatives like the Maternal Health Voucher Scheme and community-based healthcare services, ensuring that women have access to safe childbirth and reproductive health services.

4. Tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

• Bangladesh has implemented national campaigns to raise awareness about GBV and women's rights, including the "16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence" campaign, which mobilizes communities to take action against violence.
• The establishment of One-Stop Crisis Centers (OCCs) in major hospitals provides integrated services for survivors of violence, including medical care, legal support, and psychosocial counseling.

5. Institutional Mechanisms

• The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) oversees gender mainstreaming efforts across all government ministries and ensures the implementation of the National Women’s Development Policy.
• Gender focal points have been established in government ministries and agencies to ensure that gender considerations are incorporated into policy decisions and program planning.

Outcomes and Impact

1. Women's Political Empowerment

• Women’s political participation has increased significantly, both in parliament and in local government bodies. Women’s presence in decision-making roles has contributed to policy changes that promote women’s rights and address gender inequalities.
• Bangladesh ranks high in gender equality in political empowerment on the Global Gender Gap Index, largely due to its female leadership at the national level and the inclusion of women in parliamentary and local governance structures.

2. Reduction in Maternal Mortality

• Maternal mortality rates have declined significantly, from 574 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1990 to 173 per 100,000 live births in 2017. This reduction can be attributed to the expanded access to maternal healthcare services, including safe childbirth and emergency obstetric care.

3. Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion

• Microcredit programs, led by organizations like Grameen Bank and BRAC, have empowered millions of women by providing them with access to credit and financial services. Women now make up more than 90% of microcredit recipients in Bangladesh, improving household incomes and reducing poverty.
• Labor force participation for women has steadily increased, and women are increasingly represented in formal employment sectors such as garment manufacturing, which has been a key driver of Bangladesh’s economic growth.

4. Progress in Education

• Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in closing the gender gap in education. Female secondary school enrollment is now higher than that of males, a direct result of policies like the stipend programs and awareness campaigns encouraging girls' education.
• Educated women are more likely to delay marriage and childbirth, leading to better health and economic outcomes.

5. Reduction in Gender-Based Violence

• Increased awareness of GBV and improved access to support services for survivors have led to greater reporting of violence and more prosecutions under the country’s legal frameworks. However, challenges remain in fully eradicating violence against women, particularly in rural areas where patriarchal norms persist.

Challenges in Gender Mainstreaming in Bangladesh

Despite the progress, Bangladesh continues to face several challenges in fully implementing gender mainstreaming:

• Cultural and Social Norms: Traditional gender norms and deeply rooted patriarchal values still exist, particularly in rural areas, making it difficult to change attitudes toward gender equality.
• Gender-Based Violence: While there are strong legal frameworks in place, enforcement remains inconsistent, and access to justice for survivors of GBV can be difficult.
• Economic Disparities: Despite increased labor force participation, women in Bangladesh still face wage gaps and are overrepresented in informal, low-paid jobs with limited job security.
• Limited Capacity in Government: Gender mainstreaming requires sustained capacity building within government agencies to ensure that gender is integrated into all sectors. However, capacity constraints, particularly at the local level, can limit the effectiveness of gender mainstreaming initiatives.

Lessons Learned

1. Strong Political Commitment: Bangladesh’s gender mainstreaming success is largely due to the strong political will and leadership from the government, especially in ensuring women’s representation in decision-making bodies.
2. Partnership with Civil Society: Collaborations with NGOs, such as BRAC and Grameen Bank, have been instrumental in implementing gender-sensitive programs, particularly in the areas of economic empowerment and education.
3. Inclusive Policy Framework: Gender-responsive policies and budgeting have ensured that resources are allocated to address gender disparities, especially in health, education, and economic development.
4. Cultural Sensitivity: Gender mainstreaming efforts must be tailored to local contexts, taking into account cultural and social norms while promoting gradual change.

Conclusion

Bangladesh’s experience with gender mainstreaming provides valuable insights into how gender-sensitive policies and programs can transform a country’s socio-economic landscape. The country has made significant progress in reducing gender disparities in education, health, and economic empowerment. However, challenges remain, particularly in addressing gender-based violence and fully integrating women into the formal economy. Continued commitment to gender mainstreaming, alongside the promotion of social change, will be key to sustaining and building upon these achievements.

References

1. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh. (2021). "Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan."
2. World Bank. (2019). "Bangladesh: Empowering Women through Education and Political Participation."
3. Asian Development Bank. (2020). "Gender Equality Results in South Asia."
4. BRAC. (2022). "Gender Justice & Diversity Program: Progress Report."
5. UN Women. (2020). "Bangladesh: Gender Mainstreaming and the SDGs."