Role of women in nation building
Introduction
"I raise up my voice—not so I can shout, but so that those without a voice can
be heard...we cannot succeed when half of us are held back." ―Malala
Yousafzai
As a vehicle cannot proceed with wheels on one side so a nation can never
prosper without the contribution of its female population. To become a
developed, well-civilized nation both men and women should come forward
hand in hand and join the work force. our country Bangladesh, constitutionally
known as "The People's Republic of Bangladesh", has a population of 15 crore
89 lakhs (according to Economic Review-2017) with a ratio of 100.3:100
between men and women. So to achieve the goal of "Vision 2021" both our
men and women should be well-skilled and educated. However, we are hopeful
that our female folk would prosper to its best as our government as well as our
civil society has become very much concerned about the improvement of our
female folk.
What is development?
Development is a very complicated term to define in a short description.
According to the Business Dictionary, "The systemic use of scientific and
technical knowledge to meet specific objectives or requirements." So to
achieve development we have to make our people scientifically and technically
skilled. Meanwhile according to Mahatma Gandhi, "Recognition of human
potentials is development." Whereas in Economics, development means proper
distribution of income. So ultimately the overall concept of development
means the equal distribution of power, right and opportunity.
Condition of women in primitive age
"The fight is not for women's status but for human worth. The claim is not to
end inequality but to restore universal justice. the bid is not for loaves and
fishes for the forsaken gender but for cosmic harmony, which never comes till
woman comes." Dr. Bir Pal Singh.
As we all are very well aware from the fact that, all over the world 50% of the
population is constituted by woman. but in our country, there is decreasing
ration of woman on the basis of sex selection abortion. The situation of
decreasing sex ratio of male to female is the reason of unequal social status of
woman with man. On the contrary, in western countries women are in reality
equal to men.
From the primitive time, women are facing discrimination in our society. They
were deprived of education, recreation, participation in any kind of social
activities and so on. Even they were not allowed to say something in the time
of decision making for their own family. In that time women were not allowed
to say whether they would like to be a mother or not. whereas they had to carry
that child for ten long months in their womb. The male half used to dominate
them in each and every sphere of their life. Most of the women had no chance
to gain any sort of skill, education is far cry. From the cradle to the grave they
were used by the males as a tool. They were married off even before their
adolescence. They were forcefully impregnated by their husbands at an age
which is hardly suitable to bear such a huge pressure both mentally and
physically.
"Shotidaho"- burning of a chaste wife on the funeral pile of her husband was
the cruelest domination that our previous male generation had shown towards
our females. But now time has changed with the help of enormous toil by some
benign personalities. They are- Raja Rammohan Roy, Iswarchandra
Bidyasagar, Nowab Foizunnesa, Begam Rokeya Sakhawat Hossen etc.
Present condition of women
“Gems and jewels are priceless as they are rare. On that basis, women have a
very low price as they are available today. Cost of water is very low although
it is a must for daily life. If one day water becomes rare then even king of all
kings will of course sacrifice his throne for a single drop of water. Like that if
someday women become rare on this earth, that day we will understand what
is the value of a woman in a family, society or state.” – Sharatchandra
Chattapaddhay.
At present, women are getting their basic needs in most parts of our society.
Although there are some exceptions. Government as well as many NGOs have
taken several steps to make our rural illiterate guardians considerate, conscious
and responsible to their daughters along with their sons. They are their best to
make people know about the importance of female education. Government has
made female education free up to higher secondary along with free books and
scholarships. because of huge growth in our garment sector a huge number
women are now job-holder. Many women are engaged with teaching, nursing,
entrepreneurship etc. Thus the female folk is now contributing to our economy
at a larger scale than ever before.
Role of women in development
Women stand as the base of the development process of a nation. If men are
the wheels of a car, then women should be considered as the engine. We cannot
think of any sphere in our life where we do not need the support of our females.
Our life starts with seeing the smiling face of our loving mother, we grow up
under her care, our middle age is carried away with the love of our wives, then
one day we bite the dust seeing the crying face of our lovely daughters. So
from the very beginning of our life to the very end we are totally dependent on
the women of our family. Women play vital roles in every sectors of a nation.
Some of them are noted in the following-
Role of women in education sector
According to Economic Review 2017 the literacy rate in our country is 63.6%
( above 7 years) which has become possible because of the increase in the
literacy rate of our female folk. Now 61.6% of our women are literate with
65.6% literacy rate among the males. Napoleon Bonaparte said it right, "Give
me an educated mother, I shall promise you the birth of a civilized, educated
nation." Only an educated mother understands the importance of children's
education. They give priority to the children's education over anything else.
Moreover an educated mother herself can teach her children at least at the
primary, secondary and higher secondary level.
Teaching profession is very suitable for the women folk especially for primary
education. Little infants find themselves a little bit more comfortable with a
motherly face rather than any male person. This scenario is also very pellucid
to our government so that they have created a quota system of 60% for female
teacher in the primary level.
Women are also helping us in the field of teaching music, dance, art etc. The
cultural learning is basically aided by the women folk.
Role of women in our agricultural sector
Although we are living in an era of science and technology, our economy and
socio-economic infrastructure is basically based our agricultural sector as most
of the people in our country still lives in the rural area. And so government has
already approved an enormous amount of taka 24,430 crore for the agriculture
and fisheries sector in the budget of the fiscal year 2017-18.
In this vital sector women are playing a prime role. They take part in poultry
rearing, dairy farming, fishing and also in cultivating rice, jute and so on. They
are contributing almost 45% of agricultural labour both indoor and outdoor. In
general our rural women cultivate vegetables, pot-herbs on the roof of their
house or in the yard so that they can make up the food list of their family with
the aid of those. Thus they safe money as well as fulfill the demand of nutrition
of their family. They help our males by husking the rice, by planting seedlings,
feeding the cattle, helping in poultry and so on. They make puffed rice,
flattened rice etc. from normal rice. They play a huge role in collecting and
storing harvests.
Role of women in garment sector
Bangladesh's garment industry has been at the heart of the country's export
boom ever since the first factory opened in 1976. In the fiscal year of 2016-17
RMG (Ready-made Garment) Industry has generated an amount of US $28.18
billion which is 80.7% of the total exports. Now there are almost 5000 garment
factories in Bangladesh employing more than 3 million people. Fully 85% of
them are women.
Women are the driving force of the Bangladeshi Garment sector. Most of the
women working in this sector is between 18 to 32 years. It is these young
women who provide the hard labour needed to the unrealistic production
targets set by Bangladeshi Garment Factories.
Maximum of the female workers- almost 85% of the total workers are sewing
operators, and nearly 10% are helpers.
Although our garment industry is largely dependent on our female folk, it is a
matter of great regret that our women are facing a great deal of discrimination
in this sector. Not only they are ill-paid compared to the male workers but also
they have to work harder and for longer duration of time. The garment factories
violate rules and deprive the female workers of their rights.
Role of women in administrative sector
Women all over the world have come a long way from the dark period of their
illiteracy and have joined almost each and every profession and have shown
their proficiency. So why would they let go the attractive profession of
administration and leadership? Nowadays women are joining politics more
than ever before. On September 19, 1893 the Governor, Lord Glasgow, signed
a new electoral act into law. As a result of this landmark legislation, New
Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world in which all
women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections. From then women have
come a long way. Now women all over the world not only have the right to
vote but also they can stand in elections to become a parliamentary member
and to represent her country.
At present, Denmark, Thailand, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Australia,
Liberia, Iceland, Costa Rica, Finland, Lithuania, Trinidad and Tobago and of
course our motherland Bangladesh is going on under female leadership.
Our country constitutionally has 50 preserved seats for female members. Our
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Member
of Parliament Matiya Chowdhury, Sayada Sajeda Chowdhury, Tarana Halim,
Rowshan Arshad are leading the leadership of our country from the front. For
the first time we have got a female election comissioner, Kobita Khanam.
In short, women are playing a massive role in the administrative process of
Bangladesh. And for its better future our guardians have to change their
outlook towards their children joining politics.
Role of women in handicraft sector
Handicrafts are nowadays representing us to the outer world because of their
beauty and uniqueness. WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) has
recognised our "Jamdani Sharee" as a geological trademark product. From the
time of Mughal emperors women in the rural areas have worked hard to show
their creativity to others by making handicraft products, such as- Nakshi
Kantha, Shitol Pati, toys, showpieces, terracotta designs, wooden products,
buskets made of cane etc. Women work all the day and they are always with
their house-hold chores. but even then they try to find some empty space to sit
and work on a nakshi kantha. Their dedication is the reason that our handicraft
is still alive and recognised all over the world. But it is a matter of regret that
we are not getting a better price for this creative products. To encourage our
women folk more about this sector we have to arrange some way that allows
our women to get a perfect price of their hard labour and dedication. NGOs
and financial organizations should be encouraged by our government so that
they provide loans at a better scheme in our handicraft sector.
Role of women in nursing sector
From the time of mother Teresa or Florence Nightangle we see nursing
profession as a very novel profession where philanthropy is considered prior
to money. Most of the nurses all over the world are female and they are
performing their duty with great care and affection towards each and every
patient.
For some instances female nurses are a must. Such as gynecology department
and other feminine illness. As female patients feel comfortable in front of a
female nurse. So to ensure proper treatment and care we have to ensure that
female nurses are well paid and women are stilled encouraged to join this novel
profession.
Role of women in medical sector
Our medical sector is blessed with many promising doctors. A large number of
them are female. They are contributing a great extent in this sector. In many of
the medical colleges there are more female students compared to men. As our
country is yet to become so open-minded as the western countries most of our
female patients feel it comfortable and safe to discuss their health issues with
a female doctor rather than a male doctor. Government is also concerned with
this issue so they have taken necessary steps to establish health care centers in
the rural sides of the country which will must have female doctors and nurses.
Role of women in defense sector
Ours is a nation full of bravery, courage and audacity. Our mothers, sisters
have taught us this bravery from the very beginning of our life. For the defense
of the nation women folk of this region took arms in their hand and joined the
struggle against all heinous criminals and anti-socials. Bir protik Setara begum,
Taramon Bibi were the light-bearer for the female folk in the time of our
liberation war. Whereas this seed of fight was sown in them by their previous
fighters- Ila Mitra, Pritilota Waddedar and so on.
Today a huge number of girls are joining army to serve their country in times
of crisis. They not only serve the country with arms but also helps the
government to secure the country's peace and discipline. They also help
delivering relief products in calamity-effected areas.
Role of women in sports
Today's world is not only about prospering in economic or technological
field, here prosperity includes recreation at the same time. Sports are the
finest source of recreation and our girls have contributed enough in this field
to make our nation proud. Zobera Rahman Linu, famous table tennis player
of Bangladesh, has got her name listed in the Guinness book of world
records. Our female cricket team is at No. 9 in the ICC rankings. Except
cricket we have national women's football team and kabaddi team. Most of
our girls basically enjoy indoor games because of family restrictions and our
social discriminations. We have broaden our outlook and allow our girls to
join different sports according to their choice. Thus our female folk would be
able to get some recreations as well as our country would be recognised
worldwide by their achievements.
Role of women in cultural events
Bangladesh is a country blessed with various cultures and cultural events. This
non-communal country is famous for its cultural events like 'Pahela Baishakh',
'Nobanno', 'Boli Khela', 'Madhu Mela on the birth of poet Madhusudhon' etc.
All this programs become colourful because of the contribution of both male
and female. Women take part in the cultural programs with songs, dances etc.
By taking part in this events they unite our nation which is the basic principle
of any nation.
Importance of women in different religion
In the Holy Quaran almighty Allah frequently addresses both the man and the
woman. In one passage Allah reveals, "For Muslim men and women, for
believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and
women who is patient, for men and women who humble themselves, for men
and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and
women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in
Allah's praise- For them all, Allah has prepared forgiveness and great
reward." So there is no difference and discrimination between men and women
according to Islam. Islam shows us the history of Hazrat Ayesha who fought
her best to protect her nation.
In Mahavarat we see Shikhondi, a woman, fighting in the kurukshetra war to
represent her nation. In Hindu religion, we see the priority of women in many
ways. We observe it mostly when we see at the hindu Goddess like- Durga,
Kali, Sharaswati, Lakshmi and so on. This directly teaches us the lesson of
respecting women. To motivate female education it is shown that Arundhuti,
wife of saint boshistho, is a part of 'Saptarshi Mandal' because of her
knowledge and wit.
According to Bible."God is within her, she will not fall." So all religions have
shown importance towards women and we should fall it.
Why women are backward in our country?
Women are backward due to unequal treatments in all sectors. Men and
women, all the same, yet considered so much different. In our society we
prioritize men in every possible way we can. It is not the case that each and
every sector of family, society and state are only physical strength based. So
we should change our point of view that makes us think that women cannot
perform better or as much as men.
From the primitive time, we have made up our mind on this basis that men
are superior to women. Some male chauvinists do not even care about the
basic right of women. Nowadays our culture is very much effected by the
worst things of western cultures. the aftermath of this is some social crime,
such as- eve-teasing, acid-throwing, rape, molestation etc. All of these makes
the condition of women from bad to worse.
Another big problem in our country is misinterpretation of religion. As most
of our rural people are illiterate and superstitious, it is easy for the hypocrites
to persuade people anything they want. They use religion as a way to income.
For this reason they always discourage everyone about literacy, especially
female education.
We are living in 2018, still the literacy rate in our country is below 70%, which
is the prime reason behind most of the problems in our country. Because of
illiteracy our guardians do not find it necessary to bring their daughter in the
economic activities.
Male domination is one of the most pathetic thing that happens to girl's life.
Due to male chauvinism guardians of a daughter starts to think a daughter as a
liability as they have to pay a high margin of dowry in time of marriage of this
daughter. Eve-teasing, acid-throwing are some aftermaths of male domination
in the society.
Various NGOs and Financial Organizations often do not feel interested in
granting loans to women, mostly because of the reason that women do not get
family support to show any sort of guarantee against the loan.
According to Begam Rokeya Sakhawat hosen, "It is women who are mainly
responsible for their backwardness. It is women's mentality that worsens their
condition." To develop their condition women have to break the shackle and
come out to feel the realm of the outer world.
What we should do for our women
We all have some responsibility to maintain from our own place to make our
female folk developed. They steps that can be taken are as follows-
At first we can make people aware of the facts that can happen with the
aid of women empowerment in our country.
Government should run campaigns to check why the literacy rate of
women is still low and how to solve this problem.
NGOs should be more concerned about women empowerment and grant
them loans with less complicated terms and conditions.
Projects should be launched aiming at training women on artisanship so
that they get skilled in a proper way which skill can be used for their own
welfare as well as national welfare.
An international marketing sector should be introduced to our rural
women so that they can sell their handicraft products at a better price.
We can apply quota system for females which is in practice for some
government jobs so that we can ensure female employment.
We have to change our outlook of considering women as a product or a
tool for producing children and start considering them as our friends.
To make people aware about the importance of women we can make
videos, documentaries etc. and make people aware.
Steps taken for women internationally
Internationally various steps have been taken for the development of
women. The United Nation's Development Fund for Women (commonly
known as UNIFEM) is such an organisation that provides financial and
technical assistance to assure women's human rights. It was established in 1976
to promote political participation and economic security.
Another International organisation that works for women empowerment is The
United Nation's Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of
Women.
To celebrate women's achievements in social, economic, cultural and political
sectors people all over the world celebrate March 8th as the International
Women's Day.
Some other organizations that work for the betterment of the female folk
are: Equality Now, International Council of Women, International
Alliance of Women, International Alliance for Women and so on.
Conclusion
Under the circumstances furnished in our society and state, government should
pass necessary charges and grant necessary orders to extenuate the anguished
conditions that our women are facing in their day to day life. We all have to
come forward to save our sisters, to respect our mothers, to provide affection
to our wives and to ensure safety to our daughters so that they can let their
dreams come true. And then our utopian schemes of making an ever-smiling
earth will come to reality.
