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Friday | 10 January 2025 | Epaper
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Women are most affected in all national crises 

Published : Monday, 6 January, 2025 at 12:00 AM  Count : 1498
Musfika Laiju
In any kind of crisis within a state, women are invariably the most affected. Whether it's a political upheaval, economic recession, or societal disruption, women bear the brunt of the consequences. This pattern has repeated itself throughout history and across geographies, revealing the persistent structural inequalities that subordinate women and marginalize their voices.

A Threat to Women's Rights: When democracy falters, women's rights are among the first casualties. In contexts where democracy is at risk, women's voting rights are often curtailed. Societal and familial pressures can compound this suppression. Men, wielding patriarchal authority, may coerce women into voting for their preferred candidates or bar them from participating altogether. Such actions deny women the agency to make decisions that directly impact their lives and futures. The erosion of democratic principles disproportionately affects women because their voices, already marginalized, are further stifled during periods of political instability.

During political crises, women also face increased risks of violence and harassment. Political unrest often leads to a breakdown in law and order, creating an environment where gender-based violence escalates. Women, particularly those involved in activism or protests, become targets of intimidation and abuse. This not only silences their voices but also perpetuates a culture of fear that deters women from participating in political processes.

Economic Recession and the Undervaluation of Women's Labor: When economic recessions arise in any state, nation, or community, the consequences disproportionately affect women's labor. Economic crises exacerbate gender disparities in the workforce. Women are often the first to face layoffs during recessions, a reflection of deep-seated biases that perceive women's work as less valuable than men's. The assumption that women contribute less or prioritize family responsibilities over professional commitments leads to their premature exclusion from the workforce. When women are rehired, it's often at significantly lower wages than their male counterparts. They are left with little choice but to accept these inequities, further entrenching gender-based economic disparities.

Women's employment is also concentrated in sectors that are more vulnerable to economic downturns, such as retail, hospitality, and garment manufacturing. These industries often operate on thin margins and are quick to cut costs by reducing their predominantly female workforce. For women in informal employment, the situation is even direr. Without legal protections or access to social safety nets, they face job insecurity, wage theft, and exploitation.

Economic downturns also impact women's health and nutrition. As food prices rise and family incomes dwindle, women disproportionately bear the burden of ensuring their families' survival. In many households, women prioritize the nutritional needs of their children and other family members over their own. This self-sacrifice leads to inadequate food intake, resulting in malnutrition and long-term health consequences. Despite their critical roles in maintaining household stability, women's own well-being is often overlooked, leaving them vulnerable to the cascading effects of economic crises.

Malnutrition among women has far-reaching implications. Pregnant and breastfeeding women who are malnourished are at higher risk of complications, which can also affect the health of their children. This creates a cycle of poor health outcomes that extends across generations. Furthermore, malnutrition weakens women's ability to work and contribute economically, perpetuating their vulnerability.

Legal Reforms Often Overlook Women's Needs: When states undertake legal reforms, women's interests often remain an afterthought. Policies aimed at economic restructuring, labor laws, or tax reforms frequently fail to address the unique challenges faced by women. This neglect stems from a lack of female representation in decision-making bodies and the pervasive notion that men's issues are synonymous with societal issues. Even women in leadership roles may, at times, overlook the specific needs of their gender, succumbing to the dominant patriarchal frameworks that prioritize other agendas.

Legal systems also frequently fail to protect women's rights during crises. For instance, during times of economic austerity, governments may cut funding to social programs that disproportionately benefit women, such as childcare, healthcare, and education initiatives. These cuts exacerbate existing inequalities and leave women with fewer resources to navigate challenging circumstances.

Women's participation in peacebuilding and conflict resolution is essential for sustainable outcomes. However, they are often excluded from formal negotiations and decision-making processes. This exclusion not only undermines the effectiveness of these efforts but also reinforces the marginalization of women's voices in shaping their own futures.

The Transformative Role of Women in Bangladesh's Development: Since 1971, Bangladeshi women have played a transformative role in the country's development across multiple sectors. From their courageous participation in the Liberation War, where women fought on the frontlines and supported the freedom movement, to their pivotal roles in rebuilding the nation, their contributions have been immense. Women have been at the forefront of education, health, and social welfare, spearheading literacy campaigns, advancing maternal and child healthcare, and championing grassroots movements for gender equity. In agriculture and microfinance, women have driven economic empowerment, with diverse initiatives enabling millions of women to rise from poverty and contribute to national growth. Female leaders have excelled in governance, science, and the arts, earning global recognition for Bangladesh. Today, women continue to break barriers, fostering innovation, climate resilience, and inclusivity in the face of challenges, proving themselves as indispensable architects of Bangladesh's journey toward sustainable development.

For countries to become truly livable for women, we must enhance women's political participation. Women must have equal representation in political institutions to ensure their voices are heard and their interests safeguarded. This requires systemic changes, including quotas, to break the barriers of entrenched patriarchy.

Prioritizing Women's Health: National public health policies must address the unique needs of women, particularly during crises. Nutrition programs and healthcare initiatives should focus on mitigating the impacts of economic instability on women's well-being.

The crises faced by states-whether political, economic, or social-amplify the vulnerabilities of women. However, they also highlight the indispensable roles women play in rebuilding and advancing societies. Addressing the systemic barriers that women face is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity for sustainable development.
We hope that this decade presents an opportunity to rectify historical injustices and create societies where women can thrive equally. By prioritizing gender equality in policies and practices, we can ensure that women's contributions are recognized, valued, and supported. A world that is livable for women is a world that is better for everyone.

The journey to achieving gender equity is long, but it is one worth undertaking. Together, through collective action and commitment, we can build a future where women's rights are upheld, their voices amplified, and their potential realized.

The writer is a Human Rights Activist


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