Giving them a voice

Mahmuda Imam

Photo: AFP

Women's empowerment is a very widely used “catch-word” now. The issue has generated debates, some of them quite positive trying to locate areas which should be addressed.

Voice is commonly understood as the ability to talk, to articulate, communicate one's position and feelings to others. There is a close link between voice and power. But voice, through its various articulations and signifiers, can be mode of protest, and a mechanism for creating a society that cuts across class, religion, caste and gender. Voice is defined as an empowering and creative agency that allows one to have a positive self.

This positive self articulates its demands and rights and endeavors to participate as a full and equal citizen in the public sphere.

The fundamentalists are openly opposing such a concept. However the concept of women's empowerment is a reality now. Women's empowerment can become visible in changed behavior and attitudes of both men and women. So, there is a need to increase women's self-confidence and self-esteem. Greater recognition of class and caste inequalities and demand for equality thus bring changes in the division of responsibilities within the household /community, leading to reduction in the work burden of women.

Empowerment in the institutional sense has been formally recognized as we can find in the representation of women in the public bodies, right from the Parliament to the local government organizations. But, we are only persuaded to nurture some hopes, there is no room for complacency. In fact the structure of the patriarchal society is the greatest obstacle. Out support for the concept is more intellectual in nature than motivational forcing us in practical actions rather than formal.

Education has always been underlined as the primary factor to empower women. More than a century ago, Begum Rokeya, the great pioneer of women's rights movement in this part of the world, said,” Educatie your girls and let them face the challenges of the world, they will find out their ways of living on their own”.

Photo: AFP

The religious dogmatism, social taboos, bigotry, oppression and age-old discrimination have always worked together to suppress the women.

Their talents have always been pushed to the limits of household chores.

Many hazards are now being created for them by the fundamentalists who are strongly opposing the very concept of empowerment of women.

In Bangladesh rural societies religious leaders (Imams, Quazis, Muttobar) play an important role as local arbitrators (Gram Shalish operatives) And dictate Fatwas inflicting punishment (stoning, Dorras, social ostracisation) particularly on women.

Congratulations ! Government has declared the Women Development Policy on 8th march, 2011. It has been a long standing demand from women. When the National Action Plan will be formulated it must incorporate all the major demands of the women community in the form of recommendations.

This women Development policy should be reflected in the government's Long Term Vision Plan for (2010 to 2021) and its Sixth Five-Year Plan.

Budget allocations should be made to specific sectors addressed by the policy. The government should take steps to implement the Women Development Policy properly.

Bangladesh became a signatory to the UN document that aims at eradication of all kinds of discrimination against women widely known as CEDAW ( UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.) With the signing of this document Bangladesh government is committed to take appropriate steps so that various sections of CEDAW are implemented in the country, however government has reservations on article 2, and 16 (c ). The government of Bangladesh found these sections contrary to the 'shariah' law. But Bangladesh is not a theocracy governed by 'shariah' law.

The women community are requesting the government. to withdraw the reservations on article 2, and 16 (c) for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

The formulation of a uniform family code of law has been a major and long- standing demand of women's movement in Bangladesh.

There are two aspects of women's empowerment. One is economic empowerment and the second is social and political empowerment. Women's participation in politics is very important. Election to the reserved seats of women is one factor in the process. This is very positive as election through direct votes adds to the dignity of women. The demands of women's movement for 33% representation of women in Parliament by 2015 and 50% in 2021need to be considered.

Our honorable prime minister is a woman. Our honorable opposition leader is a woman. Our government has taken some steps to empower women: The honorable Deputy Leader of the Parliament, home minister, foreign minister, agriculture minister, state minister (labor) are all women. But the status and conditions of the majority of women are not satisfactory.

Let us unite in a movement to uplift the position of women so that empowerment of women is facilitated.

The writer is Director, Karmojibi Nari.