(Bangladesh) Women's rights and property inheritance
The evidence proves time after time -- equality for women is ESSENTIAL in the battle against poverty.
http://en.prothom-alo.com/opinion/news/50981/Women-s-rights-and-property-inheritance
Opinion
Women's rights and property inheritance
Salma Khan
Jul 19, 2014
Women have a huge contribution to the overall development of the country, particularly in the significant achievements where human development indicators are concerned. Even so, the majority of the poverty stricken people, deprived of all assets, are women. This was revealed in recent research findings. It stated that 70% of the women in the country were bereft of property. Notwithstanding constitutional declarations of equal rights for women, till today gender equality hasn't been established in the sphere of family rights.
Despite the prevailing discrimination from a religious standpoint, men and women should have equal inheritance when it comes to family property. Whatever a man inherits, the woman is entitled to a share of this. There maybe differences in the amount of property, but it is supposed to be balanced. However, due to the patriarchal mindset of society and misinterpretation of religion, women are deprived of economic justice.
In all areas, women's economic strength remains weaker than that of the man due to family pressure to relinquish entitled property in favour of brother, legal loopholes regarding gender equality in inheritance and social pressure.
The research carried out by World Vision and Steps Towards Development reveals that the lack of property is directly related to women entrepreneurs and entrance into the competitive labour market. A weak position in the family stands as an obstacle to economic equity for women.... MORE at link posted above.