Women in Bangladesh face various discriminations; social and economic disparity is a common feature in society. The main factor acting as a hindrance against the development of the women is related to their limited and unequal right and access to resources, particularly to land and other fixed assets. The existing laws of inheritance, patriarchal values and social practices in Bangladesh society are inclined towards the consolidation of discriminatory attitudes. The law of inheritance related issues is governed by personnel law based on the religion of the concerned individual. Thus, Muslim women are governed by the Sharia Law applicable to more than 90% of the population. According to the Sharia Law
As a Muslim Women:
- Denmohor Property
- Husbands property
Marital property for Muslim Women
Separate property only. Marital property not recognized, regardless of contributions.
Marital property for Hindu/Buddhist Women
Separate property only. Marital property not recognized, regardless of contributions.
The Hindu woman’s right to property may be discussed under two headings:
- Property of which she is the absolute owner; and
- Property of which she is the limited owner.
The former is spoken of as her stridhan and the latter her woman’s estate. (Agarwala 1998) Stridhana means a woman’s property, that is to say, properties over which a woman has got absolute power of disposal. Such properties are, therefore fundamentally different from the other kinds of property held by a woman which are known as her woman’s estate.
Marital property for Christian Women
Separate property only. Marital property not recognized, regardless of contributions.
Still, there are several factors that rural women do not enjoy their land rights, Discriminatory laws and regulations especially related to property and inheritance Customary practices and traditional patriarchal relations within families and communities Overall disadvantaged position of women (nutrition, education, access to information etc.). There is no autonomous law in Bangladesh. There are several laws for several parts of the society. Basis of Law is Religious. Land rights of Women are based on religious and customs, therefore equal rights are violated and discriminated