Female Education in Bangladesh: Promising Present, Challenging Future
By Faheem Hussain, assistant professor of computer science, and Fabiha Naumi, assistant director of student affairs—both of Asian University for Women, Bangladesh
When people in the Western world think of Bangladesh, they often think of poverty, flooding, and corruption. A country of 153 million living on a landmass similar in size to the state of Iowa, Bangladesh has endured more than its fair share of natural calamities and the economic and political uncertainties that accompany them. But the nation is quickly changing its image.
In recent years, Bangladesh maintained more than 6 percent economic growth despite the global recession, became the fourth largest garment exporter in the world (Dhume 2010), drastically reduced its rate of population growth, and positioned itself as a global role model in reducing poverty through gender empowerment. Women's and girls' education is a strategic priority in these reforms, but the country continues to face major challenges in this area.
__._,_.___
