ALTHOUGH women have led two major political parties and the positions of prime minister and leader of the opposition have been occupied by women since 1991, politics in Bangladesh is still highly male-dominated. Women are reluctant to enter politics because of unfriendly environment, lack of financial strength, burden of household and lack of equal opportunities [...]

Violence against women claimed 518 lives across the country last year, according to a survey report released by Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights organisation, yesterday. Of the victims, 172 women were killed over dowry and 246 in domestic violence while 83 killed after rape. The list also includes 17 female domestic helps. [...]

THE recent report “Whispers to Voices” highlighted the substantial gains in women’s status in Bangladesh over the last few decades. School enrolment of girls now exceeds that of boys’, infant mortality has fallen, gender differences in survival of children have narrowed, fertility has declined dramatically, and women are now more visible in public spaces than [...]

The ulema committee formed to review the National Women Development Policy has strongly opposed equal rights to women, recommending deletion of six sections of the policy and amending 15 others as they said these sections “clash” with the provisions of the Quran and Sunnah. There are several sections in the policy which are “very objectionable”, [...]

POLITICAL thinkers are of the view that the role of women in the 9th parliament will be greater than before. This could be a reality because around 40 women candidates are contesting in the election. Justifying their role in national politics and the decision making process is really a great challenge for the women in [...]

Highest 18 women have won 22 parliamentary seats in Monday’s battle of ballots, meaning the new parliament will have the highest number of at least 63 female lawmakers, including 45 to be elected to reserve seats, in the history of Bangladesh. The fortunate female MP-elects have defeated their male counterparts in the landmark ballots for [...]

The rights of women are an important indicator of global well-being. Many believe gender issues exist only in countries where religion is law. Some believe that women’s rights are not an issue at all. Yet when women suffer and cry out about their rights being denied, people only turn deaf ears. Women have been treated [...]

A tale of atrocities perpetrated on women offers a powerful testimony to different types of gender-based violence experienced by women and girls throughout their lives. Violence against women is a pandemic, one that transcends the bounds of race, culture, class and religion. It touches virtually every community, in virtually every corner of the country. Too [...]

Experts urged for creating an effective women friendly atmosphere in the field of trade and commerce through preparing Woman National Business Agenda with proper solution to overall problems of the women entrepreneurs in transacting business. The call came from a divisional stakeholders consultation workshop arranged by Bangladesh Woman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) at [...]

The first-ever cervical cancer vaccine is being administered on women, ushering in a new era in the health sector to combat the deadly disease in the country, reports BSS. Bangladesh Cervical Vaccination Programme Committee (BCCVPC) and Oncology Club have jointly initiated the pilot vaccination programme by selecting 60 economically disadvantaged women for free service. Health [...]

In another blow to the supposed cancer-fighting powers of vitamins C and E, new research suggests that supplement forms of the vitamins don’t prevent the disease in women, according to HealthDay News. And another widely touted supplement, beta carotene, didn’t help either, the new study found. “Simply taking antioxidant supplements is insufficient to prevent cancer [...]

It was a long pending demand of the Indian women’s movement: a law to address domestic violence. So when the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, came into force in October 2006, it was generally welcomed by women activists as a step in the right direction. The PWDVA is a gender-specific law that [...]

Many people are unaware that even smoking away from babies or pregnant women presents a risk, according to US research, reports BBC. Poisons in cigarette smoke can linger on fabrics or hair, but a survey of 1,500 households found that fewer than half of smokers knew this. Only a quarter had strict rules about not [...]