Bangladesh celebrates the increasing female literacy rate each year with pride. The country is seen as a success story with ambitious and hardworking young women filling classrooms from urban university campuses to rural colleges. These women study diligently, pass exams, and earn degrees.
However, beneath these positive statistics lies a sad truth. Many educated women, whether in cities or villages, often lack concrete plans for utilizing their knowledge. Instead of aiming to build their own futures, they view their academic achievements as mere additions to their marriage resumes.
Education for women has been commodified, reduced to a checkbox on a list of qualities that make a woman more appealing for marriage. Despite being taught early on that a life without a goal is directionless, many educated women find themselves lacking a clear purpose beyond becoming desirable brides.
Families often view a daughter’s education as a means to enhance their social status in the marriage market rather than as a tool for personal growth or financial stability. This mindset contributes to a cycle where young women themselves adopt the belief that their worth is tied to their future husbands’ income.
While homemaking is a valid choice, the issue at hand is about women’s autonomy and mental resilience. Many educated women feel trapped in abusive relationships because they doubt their ability to survive independently. Despite holding degrees, they struggle to break free from toxic situations due to a lack of self-confidence.
Education should serve as a shield against life’s challenges. Even if traditional employment is not an option, educated women have the skills to pursue alternative paths such as home-based businesses, teaching, consulting, and more. What they often lack is the self-assurance to believe in their own capabilities.
It is essential for parents to shift their focus from raising daughters as mere ornaments to nurturing their aspirations and visions for the future. Young women in Bangladesh must not allow their hard work to be reduced to a single entry on a marriage biodata. They need to discover their purpose and take charge of their own destinies to break free from feelings of inferiority and reclaim their dignity.
Shimu Akter, a law student in Dhaka focusing on gender justice and human rights, emphasizes the importance of women having a vision for their lives to empower themselves. The views expressed in this article reflect the author’s perspective. Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for more expert opinions and analyses. To contribute to The Daily Star Opinion, refer to the submission guidelines.