IID and Youth for Policy call for urgent action to reform discriminatory laws and ensure women’s rightful place in Bangladesh’s democratic transition.
In a significant policy submission to the Women’s Reform Commission, IID and its youth platform, Youth for Policy (YfP), have delivered a bold message: the future of inclusive democracy in Bangladesh hinges on centering the voices of women and marginalized communities. The report, submitted in July 2025, captures demands from the ground and calls for structural reform to address long-standing gender disparities in the country.
The submission is the result of months-long consultations and grassroots dialogues with youth leaders, community members, and rights advocates across the country. From legal reform to equitable political participation, the report outlines actionable recommendations based on the lived experiences of those most affected by discriminatory policies.
“Bangladesh is at a critical juncture,” said a youth representative from the YfP Network. “We can’t talk about democratic reform without first fixing the systems that exclude women, especially those from indigenous, hijra, and other marginalized identities. Our report isn’t just a list of demands — it’s a roadmap for justice.”
The initiative focused on four thematic pillars: eliminating legal loopholes that perpetuate gender-based violence, ensuring equitable representation in governance, securing economic rights and protections for vulnerable women, and strengthening institutional accountability. By leveraging participatory methods — including focus group discussions and youth-led consultations — the recommendations reflect real, community-rooted insights.
Beyond highlighting the problems, the report identifies concrete policy gaps. For example, it points out how the lack of legal recognition for hijra and indigenous women in public service recruitment policies reinforces exclusion, or how weak implementation of anti-harassment laws continues to deter women’s mobility and participation.