Gender equality and women’s empowerment are key to sustainable development. In Bangladesh, patriarchal systems create unequal power dynamics, limiting women’s access to education and employment, political participation, property ownership, and decision-making, while exposing them to discrimination and violence.

These challenges are not uniform. Gendered risks increase when intersecting factors such as class, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or environmental and conflict-related crises are present. Bangladesh currently ranks 131 out of 162 countries on the UN Gender Inequality Index, highlighting gaps in health, empowerment, and labor market participation.

Despite decades of social and economic progress, gender inequality continues to restrict opportunities for women and girls. As Bangladesh approaches graduation from Least Developed Country status, these years are critical. UNFPA supports the government and partners to strengthen legal frameworks, expand access to justice and essential services, challenge harmful social and gender norms, and create opportunities so all women and girls can live free from violence and reach their full potential.