Gender Equality Promotion within the Current Development Context of Bangladesh

Abstract

The international development partners are supporting the Government to undertake different development initiatives including promotion of gender equality. The paper examines the role of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as a development partner and its agenda of mainstreaming gender in Bangladesh. By recognizing and addressing discrimination against girls and women, success in the fight against all forms of discrimination -- class, race, ethnicity and age -- will become more likely, and more lasting. We have learned that entire societies develop when girls and women are enabled to be fully contributing community members. ADB as a development partner is supporting Bangladesh in its effort for poverty reduction, economic growth and social development. It is important to make the best use of the support so that in the long run the goal of gender equality can be achieved along with the achievement of the other development goals. The Government can consult with the NGOs and design increased number of projects in different sectors including gender features in project design and also undertake projects for women's advancement. The gender equality results of the projects often cannot be determined as sex disaggregated data collection, analysis and reporting are weak. However, now is as good of a time as ever to challenge those roles. Women are running for president, and people support them. Men are having babies while many women decide they don't