Laudability of Gender Quotas in Negotiating Significant Change for Women in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study examines the suitability of assigned quotas for women in Bangladesh and whether these special allocations have any effect to ensure significant change for them. It was conducted using quantitative and qualitative data as the data has been collected through survey questionnaire and interview. Available data substantiates that women's organizations, donors, and nongovernmental organizations have influenced the government of Bangladesh to introduce quotas for women. Although quotas have increased the total number of women in these arenas, but their representation in the decision-making process or the meaningful change has not yet been ensured. They still face several social, cultural, and religious challenges which hinder their participation and they are still neglected by their male counterparts. If they ask for their rights, they are very often victimized, assaulted, and harassed. The major causes of such restricted women's participation have been sociocultural, political, structural, educational, and economic factors. In such a situation, it is essential to bring changes to such cultural norms by initiating appropriate cultural, educational, and informational policies, constitutional and legal provisions by the government and the political parties of Bangladesh.