A woman's self-actualisation, growth, and productivity are directly tied to her well-being. When women are deprived of holistic wellness, it affects families, communities, and the entire nation. In Bangladesh, systemic barriers continue to exclude women from spaces that promote physical and mental well-being.

Barriers to women's wellness

From a young age, girls in Bangladesh are sidelined from sports and recreational spaces. Cricket fields, football grounds, and beaches remain male-dominated. While some trailblazing girls have entered these arenas, they face resistance and harassment.

Child marriage further compounds the issue. According to the World Bank, women who marry as children have, on average, 1.11 more live births than those who marry as adults, increasing risks to their physical and mental health.

Mental health remains a crisis. Women are twice as likely as men to experience depression and anxiety, yet less than 0.11% of the population has access to free psychotropic medications. Nutritional disparity also persists, with men and boys often prioritised in food distribution. Meanwhile, 89% of women face intimate partner violence, making wellness a distant reality.

Dhaka Flow's response

Dhaka Flow promotes self-care through festivals, workshops, and corporate wellness programs. The upcoming Heal Dhaka program, launching April 19, will provide access to yoga, dance, kickboxing, art healing, and meditation.

The path forward

For true change, Bangladesh must:#Promote gender equality in sports.

• Enforce child marriage laws.

• Invest in mental health services.

• Ensure equitable nutrition.

• Strengthen protections against domestic violence.  

Women's wellness is not a luxury—it is a necessity.

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