ABSTRACT
Many social scientists in Bangladesh would argue that although numbers are important, the state is not about numbers; but to understand the state of gender or to make a situational analysis of women one needs to go beyond numbers. The state started its journey on the ‘woman’ question on a patriarchal note; women’s movements and participation were active in the liberation movement of the country. The international conventions have gone a long way in creating awareness about women’s issues and creating voices for women by addressing practical as well strategic gender needs; and thereby creating women-friendly spaces in the processes and institutions at the state and international levels. Gender discrimination or inequality is taken for granted and often uncontested at the mainstream level; consequently even the most controversial and orthodox views are made into laws. According to Bangladeshi law Hindu women only get a limited share.
