Role of Women in National Development

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Nearly half of our total population are women. They are potential human resources. So, the role of women in national development is very important for our country. But it is unfortunate to keep them aloof from economic activities. The economic and overall development of our country depends on the proper use of these vast human resources. Failure to use them is a tremendous waste of potential human resources.

Traditionally, women play the roles of wife, /mother, and homemaker. In our society, many people think that women should stay at home and do household chores. So cooking, cleaning, washing, giving birth, and rearing children to become their jobs. But it is not always acknowledged that they perform a major role in an agricultural society, particularly during harvest time in the village. This work of women should be counted.

It is seen in many places that the income of the male member or members of a family is insufficient. In that case, the woman member or members have to engage themselves in income-generating activities. Sometimes, due to the urge to establish an individual identity or due to economic necessity, many women are joining a wide range of professions. Moreover, it is not only educated women who are opting to work but women with little or no education who have come out of their cocoons to earn and become self-reliant. Most of our garment workers are females. In primary school teachings, most of the teachers are women. The garments sector becomes the second in order for earning foreign currency. But this has become possible for the women's labor force. In statistics of 1995-96, it is found that 18,500,000 women in rural areas and 2,800,000 women in urban areas are engaged in income-generating activities and they are supporting themselves and their families.

Life for women is not easier now. It is in many ways more difficult since women must fulfill their traditional roles of wife, mother, and homemaker. Religious misinterpretation and social stricture often prevent girls from going to co-education schools. Some fundamentalists and their organizations prevent women from going out of their houses for work. Many women workers are misbehaved in many places in Bangladesh.

Women have courage and energy. We have to use them in income-generating activities. It will be helpful for the government to ensure the sustainable development of society. It is a matter of hope that the government of Bangladesh is trying its best to use skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled women in many kinds of work. This will ensure the economic development of the country (Role of Women in National Development).