WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION AND CHALLENGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN CHITTAGONG DISTRICT, BANGLADESH

Authors

  • MD. Didar Ali Sarker Fourth Year Student, Institute of Education & Research, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
  • Nazma Akter Ripa Fourth Year Student, Institute of Education & Research, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v13i2.6507

Keywords:

higher education, policy making in education, women's participation, women's education, Chittagong district

Abstract

This study has highlighted women's participation and the challenges they face in higher education in the Chittagong district. The rate of women's education at the traditional level has been analyzed. This study has highlighted how women can participate in higher education in the Chittagong district. Data has been collected from (332) female students of various colleges and universities in Chittagong district through questionnaires. Through this data collection, it is evident that most women have pursued higher education for career and social status. However, in some cases, they do not receive financial and psychological support, which decreases the rate of education. Another issue mentioned in this study is that women in higher education are facing a lack of accommodation, mental stress, insecurity in educational institutions, family obstacles, and transportation problems. However, women in higher education (97%) have agreed with the following issues.  Introducing scholarships for female students in higher education, eliminating social prejudices, providing safe hostels and transportation, providing special facilities for poor and marginalized women, and increasing the number of female teachers. This study highlights the current context of women's education in the Chittagong district. The information from this study will provide significant benefits to schools, colleges, universities, and the country's education administration and policymakers.

Author Biographies

  • MD. Didar Ali Sarker, Fourth Year Student, Institute of Education & Research, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

    Md. Didar Ali Sarkar is a fourth-year student at the University of Chittagong. His research interests include women’s education, social development, and pedagogy. His primary research goal is to promote the expansion of women’s education and the development of a modern education system. He is currently involved in various innovative education-related initiatives.

  • Nazma Akter Ripa, Fourth Year Student, Institute of Education & Research, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh

    Najma Akter Ripa is a fourth-year student at the University of Chittagong. Her research focuses on environmental science, sustainable development, and climate change education. She has participated in several research methodology workshops, enhancing her skills in scientific analysis. She is currently engaged in addressing environmental challenges and promoting long-term sustainable solutions.

References

Grimes, D. A., Benson, J., Singh, S., Romero, M., Ganatra, B., Okonofua, F. E., & Shah, I. H. (2006). Unsafe abortion: the preventable pandemic. The Lancet, 368(9550), 1908-1919. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(06)69481-6

Hakimi, N., Hakimi, M., Hejran, M., Quraishi, T., Qasemi, P., Ahmadi, L., ... & Ulusi, H. (2024). Challenges and opportunities of e-learning for women's education in developing countries: Insights from Women Online University. EDUTREND: Journal of Emerging Issues and Trends in Education, 1(1), 57-69. Retrieved from https://rcsdevelopment.org/index.php/edutrend/article/view/310

Islam, M. S. (2010). Problem and Prospect of Women's Education in Bangladesh: A Study on Sadar Upazila, Chapainawabgonj District (Doctoral dissertation, University of Rajshahi). Retrieved from http://rulrepository.ru.ac.bd/bitstream/handle/123456789/904/D3305.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Islam, T., & Karim, M. (2022). Education and women’s empowerment in South Asia. International Review of Education, 68(4), 512–529. Retrieved from https://theses.hal.science/tel-03544132v1/file/TH2021UEFL2009.pdf

Jahan, N., Hossain, M. T., Ahmed, S., & Alam, Q. M. U. (2016). Higher education and women empowerment in urban Bangladesh: A case study from Khulna city corporation of southwestern Bangladesh. Khulna University Studies, 115-126. Retrieved from https://kus.ku.ac.bd/kustudies/article/download/242/371

Jahan, N., Jabbar, M. A., Hossain, M. T., Ali, L. E., & Moshrur-Ul-Alam, Q. Impact of Higher Education on Women's Empowerment in Urban Bangladesh. Retrieved from https://kus.ku.ac.bd/kustudies/article/download/242/371

Lina, N. A. (2023). The growth of women’s education in Bangladesh. American Journal of Education and Technology, 2(3), 40-50. https://doi.org/10.54536/ajet.v2i3.1276

Manik, M. H. (2024). Demographic and socio-economic changes in Bangladesh: evidence from the population census in 2022. FJSR, 3, 29-38. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.55927/fjsr.v3i1.5762

Mishra, R., & Sahoo, D. (2020). Women Empowerment and Education: A Socio- Cultural Study. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 25(6), 2020, pp. 01-06. Retrieved from https://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jhss/papers/Vol.%2025%20Issue6/Series-9/A2506090106.pdf

Monem, M., & Muhammad, H. (2010). Higher education in Bangladesh: Status, issues and prospects. Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences (PJSS), 30(2). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229048197_Higher_Education_in_Bangladesh_Status_Issues_and_Prospects

Mou, S. N. (2024). Women's Empowerment through Higher Education and Employment in Bangladesh. Journal of Gender, Culture and Society, 4(2), 39-66. https://doi.org/10.32996/jgcs.2024.4.2.6

Rahman, M. M., Ashikullah, M., & Hasan, R. (2024). Obstacles to Women's Participation in Formal Education: A Case Study on a Village of Northern Part in Bangladesh. Glob Acad J Humanit Soc Sci, 6. Retrieved from https://www.gajrc.com/media/articles/GAJHSS_66_288-292c.pdf

Reshi, I. A., Sudha, D. T., & Dar, S. A. (2022). Women's access to education and its impact on their empowerment: a comprehensive review. Morfai J, 1(2), 446-50. https://doi.org/10.54443/morfai.v1i2.760

Downloads

Published

2026-01-28

Issue

Section

Articles