BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AND STRATEGIC STUDIES

CROSS CURRENTS OF EMPOWERMENT AND MARGINALISATION: WOMEN OF BANGLADESH IN TRANSITION

Author: Tasneem Siddiqui

DOI Link: https://www.doi.org/ BIISSj1999v20n4a5

ABSTRACT

The women of Bangladesh are going through a transitional phase in which they are experiencing cross currents of both social and economic empowerment and marginalisation. Since independence. major socio-economic changes have occurred in rural Bangladesh. These have helped a significant section of women. particularly those belonging to tile bottom half of the population. to break out from the traditional values and norms that subjected them to social control and subjugation. This paper argues that in the ultimate analysis. such a process has empowered women both socially and economically. However, in the new environment, although some forms of exploitation have been overcome, new forms of marginalisation processes have surfaced. This paper identifies areas where women are currently being marginalised.