CEDAW and the Women’s Rights in Bangladesh - a promised Silver Lining
Barrister Tureen Afroz
Women in Bangladesh have been subjected to exploitation and negligence for decades. In a society, which is basically male dominated, women, have always been kept oppressed by religious fanaticism, superstition, oppression and various discrimination. Their merit and labor have only been recognized in domestic lore. Though lately, Bangladesh has realized that ‘empowerment of women’ is a necessary condition for economic development to keep pace with the world. In the international arena Bangladesh ratified the Convention on Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1984, however, with some ‘reservations’. Thus, my paper will be on the following lines-
• Identifying the reservations of Bangladesh on CEDAW provisions;
• Stating official reasons for such reservations;
• Providing logical arguments against such reservations;
• Describing governmental and non-governmental efforts taken so far to implement CEDAW within Bangladesh; and
• Evaluating critically the progress in Bangladesh after the CEDAW ratification.
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The author is greatly indebted to Prof. Rafiqul Islam, Macquarie University, Prof. Dimity Kingsford Smith, Monash University and Mr Aman-ud-Dowla, Journalist for comments on the draft of this paper. Special thanks are due to Faculty of Law, Monash University and Monash Asia Institute for their encouragement and support all along. The usual disclaimer applies.
“CEDAW and the Women’s Rights in Bangladesh - a promised Silver Lining”
-Tureen Afroz**
Introduction
At times I wonder when Rousseau claimed “Man is born free”, did he necessarily preclude women! Or my words echo like those of Shelley when he poses,