Under the influence of industrialization, urbanization and modern education, women are now coming forward because of the sense of equality and individuality at all levels. Women are currently the gateway to development. According to government statistics, 82% of women in the country are involved in development activities directly or indirectly, which is the highest percentage among the middle developing countries. Again, according to the Ministry of Education, 98% of girls are receiving primary education. From the risky tasks of the enforcements to the garment workers, women are working  equally in all fields.

On a virtual video conference with the state ministers from 9 different countries of Asia Pacific titled as “Towards Gender Respencive Covid-19 Recovery Experience From Asia & Pacific”, State Minister of women and children affairs, Fazilatun Nesa Indira stated that the government was recruiting 10,000 doctors, nurses and health workers for the Corona epidemic. She also announced 19 packages worth Rs 1 lakh crore to mobilize the economically affected people. Among them, a special fund of Tk 5,000 crore for the export industry, a full-fledged financing scheme of Tk 3,000 crore for small traders and Tk 2,000 crore for the new entrepreneurs is being implemented, where mostly for women. Anita Bhatia, executive director of UN Women, said, ” 50% of the population is women. We need to increase investment in women’s development. Women should be given more priority in tackling Covid-19.” She also added that 80% of the nurses, doctors and health workers who worked on the COVID-19 epidemic were women.

Despite the significant progress of women in the era of women empowerment, some obstacles still push the society backwards. Even today women are kept in the house for the sake of religion, family or society. In many cases, women are still not empowered to make decisions even after earning. 7% of married women in the country are still abused by their husbands. 55% of women are victims of child marriage. The women who protest against these incidents are again become the victims of various deprivations and slanting remarks. In the office, in institutions, in public transports, women are being harassed at different times. The number of rapes in the country is increasing alarmingly at the same time, which is a serious threat to the advancement of women and society.

It is not possible for women to overcome hundreds of obstacles alone. Men also have to come forward for ensuring a safe environment for women in all fields, from educational institutions to the workplace. We have to hold hands and protest against the abominable  attitude of the society towards women. We have to stand by  the abused women without criticizing them. Only then the real empowerment of women can be ensured for a peaceful society.