Anwara Begum
Anwara Begum is Professor of Political Science at the Chittagong University, Chittagong, Bangladesh
DOI: http://DOI Number
Keywords: Bangladesh, military intervention, women leaders, military regime, gender implications, democratization, security
Abstract
Since 1991, Bangladesh was governed by elected civilian administrations until 11 January 2007, when a military intervention occurred. Many observers concluded that the country’s democracy, however imperfect, had become cemented. Bangladesh’s transition to military control was unexpected. Two years later, an election was conducted to abolish the military administration. This essay focuses on this military regime and the gender implications of this involvement, raising security issues in impoverished developing nations influenced by gender as well as several social science discourses. It intends to contribute to a better knowledge of Bangladesh politics, democracy, and security challenges in developing nations by increasing the literature on women leaders. Gender is written everywhere in Bangladesh.Since the beginning of democratisation in the early 1990s, the country has been controlled by two political parties led by two female presidents. When Bangladesh, a developing country, is discussed in development discourses, it is portrayed as a success story in achieving gender-related development goals — for example, lowering maternal mortality rates — and its leaders cite gender-related achievements in their presentations at international fora. Women lead significant ministries in Bangladesh’s cabinet, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Agriculture. It would thus be fascinating to examine the gender features of military rule that came from authority being wrested from women leaders.
First Published
December 25, 2013
How to Cite
Anwara Begum, “Bangladesh: Women Leaders, Democratization, and Security,” Regional Studies 32, no.1 (Winter 2013-14): 103-122, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/bangladesh-women-leaders-democratization-and-security/
Issue
Volume 32, Issue 1