True Development Possible with Equal Rights

The true strength of a nation is not measured solely by its economic growth, skyscrapers, highways or rising gross domestic product. It is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. A truly developed and sustainable Bangladesh cannot be built if millions of people continue to live on the margins of society without dignity, equal opportunities and access to basic services. The vision of a prosperous Bangladesh will remain incomplete unless every citizen, regardless of occupation, ethnicity, social status or economic condition enjoys the rights guaranteed by the Constitution and the principles of universal human rights.
Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in reducing poverty, expanding education, improving healthcare, increasing food production and developing infrastructure. These achievements deserve recognition. Yet many communities continue to experience exclusion, discrimination, insecurity and deprivation. They include sanitation workers, Dalit and Harijan communities, tea garden workers, landless farmers, fishermen, char dwellers, urban slum residents, persons with disabilities, elderly people without family support, homeless people, informal labourers and many other poor and voiceless citizens whose contributions to society often remain unrecognised.
According to Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022 by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, approximately 18.7% of the population (31.7 million) still live below the national poverty line, while around 5.6% remain in extreme poverty. The United Nations Development Programme’s Global Multidimensional Poverty Index estimates that nearly 24 million people experience multiple forms of deprivation. These figures remind us that economic growth alone cannot guarantee social justice.
Millions of small and marginal farmers, fishermen, day labourers, domestic workers, transport workers, construction workers, sanitation workers, tea garden workers and people living in chars, haors, coastal belts and urban slums face persistent economic insecurity. They should never be regarded as objects of charity. They are equal citizens of Bangladesh. Farmers feed the nation. Sanitation workers protect public health. Tea workers contribute to one of the country’s important export industries. Fishermen ensure food security. Construction workers build our cities. Domestic workers support thousands of families. Their labour sustains the economy every day. They deserve respect, dignity and equal opportunities.
The Constitution of Bangladesh provides a clear moral and legal foundation for building an inclusive society. Our constitution clearly affirms that no citizen should be excluded because of poverty, occupation, ethnicity, disability or social identity. These guarantees are reinforced by international human rights commitments. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognises that every person is born free and equal in dignity and rights. It affirms the rights to education, healthcare, work, social security, adequate housing and protection against discrimination. Bangladesh has also committed itself to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the pledge to leave no one behind, making inclusion and equality central to national development.
To fulfil these constitutional and human rights obligations, Bangladesh needs stronger and more targeted public policies. First, every child, regardless of social background or occupation of parents, must have equal access to quality education. Scholarships, school meals, hostels, digital learning facilities and vocational education should be expanded for children from disadvantaged communities to break the cycle of poverty.
Second, healthcare services must become more accessible to poor and marginalised communities. Mobile medical teams, occupational healthcare, community clinics, mental health services, maternal healthcare and affordable health insurance should receive greater attention, especially for sanitation workers, tea garden workers, fishermen and informal labourers.
Third, decent housing, safe drinking water, sanitation, electricity and digital connectivity should be guaranteed for all citizens. Families should not remain trapped in unhealthy living conditions simply because of their occupation or poverty.
Fourth, employment opportunities must be expanded through technical education, entrepreneurship programmes, microfinance, skills development and support for small enterprises. Special attention should be given to women, youth, persons with disabilities, and those living in hard-to-reach areas.
Fifth, labour rights must be strengthened. Workers in the informal economy deserve fair wages, safe working conditions, protective equipment, social security, pensions and legal protection against exploitation. No occupation should be considered inferior and every worker should be treated with dignity and respect.
Equally important is changing social attitudes. Discrimination based on caste, occupation, poverty or social status has no place in a modern democratic society. Schools, universities, religious institutions, the media, civil society and community leaders all have a responsibility to promote respect, tolerance and inclusion. Public awareness campaigns should celebrate the dignity of labour and recognise the contributions of those whose work often remains invisible.
Local government institutions should also play a greater role in identifying vulnerable households and ensuring that social protection programmes reach those who need them most. Public services should be delivered transparently, fairly and without discrimination.
A prosperous Bangladesh cannot be built by leaving millions of people behind. Economic growth becomes truly meaningful only when its benefits are shared equitably across society. Reducing inequality, protecting human dignity and ensuring equal opportunities are not acts of generosity; they are constitutional responsibilities and essential conditions for sustainable national development. The dream of a developed, peaceful and happy Bangladesh will become a reality only when every citizen would enjoy the rights promised by the Constitution and the opportunities needed to realise their full potential.
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The writer is Editor and CEO of News Network