Gender justice and patriarchal ideologies in our society

Despite Bangladesh making commendable progress in advancing the rights and treatment of women and children ever since its independence, there are certain enduring challenges that need to be addressed. Gender justice aims to ensure that individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal rights, opportunities and protections. However, the prevalence of patriarchal ideologies creates significant barriers to achieving this goal.

Gender justice encompasses a vibrant and dynamic movement that spans across the world, aimed at dismantling systemic inequalities and promoting equal rights for all. Conversely, patriarchy is fundamentally understood as a social system in which power and authority are primarily held by men, highlighting leadership, moral authority, social privileges, and property control. Understanding patriarchy requires an exploration of its historical roots, cultural manifestations, race, and class in that domain.

Gender justice encompasses a vibrant and dynamic movement that spans across the world, aimed at dismantling systemic inequalities and promoting equal rights for all. Conversely, patriarchy is fundamentally understood as a social system in which power and authority are primarily held by men, highlighting leadership, moral authority, social privileges, and property control.

Notably, gender justice is being violated in Bangladesh in all spheres of life—in workplaces, on the street, and even within families. More often than not, physical or sexual violence is perpetrated by a woman's intimate family member.  Oftentimes, gender-based violence in the form of physical abuse, psychological torture, or verbal abuse result from the non-payment of dowry. Another form of gender -based abuse is custodial rape, i.e., rape of a woman in police custody, has increased alarmingly. Women trafficking is yet another form of violence against women. Unfortunately, a rather ignored form of gender-based violence is self-inflicted (such as through suicide). According to the WHO, suicide is one of the leading causes of GBV across the world. It is important to mention that suicide rate is notably high amongst the victims of dowry violence. In a similar vein,  female children who are work as domestic aides and in factories often become the worst sufferers of GBV. Such tireless work under unhealthy working conditions has a detrimental effect on their condition of health.  Lastly, in Dhaka city, street children often face exploitative behavior. A study conducted by UNICEF in 2024 estimates that over 3.4 million children are living on the streets without parental care in Bangladesh. They are vulnerable to exploitation, including being coerced into sex work, trafficking, or being taken abroad to face unsafe working conditions.

In Bangladesh, the pervasive effects of patriarchal ideologies are starkly evident, due to which women face significant challenges rooted in long-standing cultural beliefs and social norms. For instance, many girls are still denied the chance to pursue their studies due to economic constraints. As a result, the rate of female literacy remains disproportionately low when compared to their male counterparts. In the workplace, women often encounter discrimination, resulting in lower wages, limited career advancement and fewer leadership opportunities. By closely examining sectors such as education, healthcare, economic opportunities and legal rights, we can easily uncover the complex barriers that women face, ranging from discriminatory practices to inadequate access to resources and decision-making power.

To create a more equitable society, it is pivotal to recognise and address the harmful effects of patriarchal ideologies. This requires actively promoting policies and practices that will foster inclusivity and diversity. By dismantling outdated gender roles, we can empower all individuals to thrive and reach their full potential without the constraints imposed by social norms and rules. Educated women are better equipped to challenge societal norms, advocate for their rights and inspire future generations. In the professional realm, women are now increasingly voicing their experiences without hesitation. This will surely help them reshape the organisational environment to prioritise inclusivity and equity. Being a woman from a developing country, what encourages me the most is that we have already achieved considerable success in this regard and have made a consolidated effort through various gender sensitive inclusion and public-private partnership programs to expedite the process of enhancing gender equality and empowerment of women and girls for the betterment of our future. 

Gender justice is an inspiring global movement dedicated to establishing a supportive network that empowers the women. The clash between gender justice and patriarchal systems is a dynamic and multifaceted battle that represents an opportunity for understanding, upon engaging all participants in a constructive and versatile journey toward equity and inclusion. By fostering collaboration and solidarity among individuals and organisations, this movement can create spaces for dialogue, amplifying the voices of women everywhere.

The writer is Joint and Sessions Judge, Bangladesh Judicial Service.