Women’s Capabilities and Society’s Perceptions

The question of women's capabilities is not an issue concerning women alone. It is also linked to how far a society can progress and how effectively its economy can realise its potential. Women have repeatedly demonstrated their abilities in medicine, science, business, administration and politics. Yet, in many cases, outdated social attitudes determine which paths a woman can pursue.

A woman's abilities should be measured by her knowledge, skills, experience and hard work. In reality, however, her clothing, marital status and role within the family often influence how she is judged. As a result, many women have to work harder than their male colleagues to reach the same position.

Discrimination against women is not always visible. It begins with small expectations within the family. From an early age, girls are taught how they should speak, how ambitious they should be and which professions are considered “appropriate” for them. Boys, on the other hand, are generally encouraged to demonstrate leadership, compete and take risks.

These differences gradually shape a girl's sense of identity. Eventually, society's message that “you cannot do it” may become part of her own thinking. That is why women's empowerment requires two things at once: removing external barriers and building women's confidence in their own abilities. One of the major invisible barriers to women's progress is self-doubt. Consider a girl who repeatedly hears that a particular profession is not for her or that she is not suited to leadership. She also knows that she will be judged more harshly if she fails. Even before an opportunity arises, she may begin to question herself: “Can I do it?” “What will people say?”

It is wrong to regard these questions simply as personal weaknesses. In many cases, they are the result of years of social conditioning. Telling someone to “be confident” is therefore not enough. We need an environment where girls and boys have equal opportunities to make mistakes, learn, lead and express their opinions.

The first and most influential impact on a woman's life often comes from her family. If a family considers a daughter's dreams an unnecessary luxury, her potential may be restricted from the outset. Conversely, when a family gives her the freedom to pursue education, choose a profession and decide her future, she can move forward with greater confidence.

Family support is essential, but it cannot be the end of the matter. A woman's right to make her own decisions must also be accepted as normal. There is no reason to keep her waiting for permission at every stage of life. She is a complete, independent and responsible human being. For more than a decade, the number of women in Bangladesh's labour force had been increasing. However, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics' Labour Force Survey 2024 shows that the number fell from 25.3 million to 23.7 million in one year. Women's representation in leadership positions is already low. This cannot be explained by a lack of skills. Social expectations, workplace culture, inadequate safety, the unequal division of domestic work and unconscious bias all play a role.

When a woman expresses her views firmly, she is often labelled “too harsh” or “stubborn”. When a man behaves in the same way, he may be praised for his leadership qualities. This double standard must change. Women need fair opportunities, safe working environments and evaluations based on merit. When women hold leadership positions, the experiences of half the population can be reflected in policymaking. Women's perspectives have distinct value in every sector, including healthcare, education, employment, technology and social protection. The benefits of women's leadership therefore extend to society as a whole. Gender equality should be viewed as an issue of human development.

Women indeed need to become more assertive and confident. But the entire responsibility for change cannot be placed on their shoulders. Women must fight for their dreams, while society must stop treating those dreams as something unusual. Empowerment rests on several fundamental pillars: equal access to education, safe and fair workplaces, opportunities to learn technology, economic independence and participation in decision-making.

Women should not have to repeatedly prove that they are capable. Ability should not be judged based on gender. A woman doctor should be evaluated by the quality of her medical care, and a woman scientist by the merit of her research. Being a woman should never take precedence over a person's qualifications and capabilities. Advancing women does not mean holding men back. The goal of equality is to ensure that every person has a fair opportunity to develop their abilities. When society belittles a woman's dreams, society itself suffers the consequences.

Therefore, alongside ensuring women's safety, we must also protect their freedom and right to make decisions. Their capabilities should be the standard by which they are judged. When women learn to trust their abilities and society stops putting obstacles in their way, their progress becomes the progress of the entire country.
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The writer is the health affairs secretary of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal’s Bogura district unit and vice-president of the central committee of JCD’s Dhaka metropolitan (West) unit