Year
2025
Reform Domain
Women
Sub Domain
Policy-related
Source of Reform Proposals
Women's Reform Commission Report
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 29-Jul-26
This reform proposal has been articulated in the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission Report. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s manifesto for the 13th National Parliamentary Election also included directly related pledges: “Increasing employment of women in formal economic Sectors.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 29-Jul-26
On 29 January 2026, the interim government gave final approval to the draft Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Educational Institutions Ordinance, 2026. The proposed framework defined sexual harassment to include physical, verbal, psychological, suggestive and digital conduct and provided for women-led complaint committees, verbal, written and online complaints, investigations within 90 days, confidentiality, complainant protection, psychological support, compensation and disciplinary measures, including warning, suspension and dismissal from service. Subsequently, on 13 April 2026, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs initiated an inter-ministerial meeting concerning the proposed Prevention and Protection of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Educational Institutions Act, 2026, indicating that the broader legal framework continued to advance through formal government consideration.
Observation
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The Government Service (Amendment) Act, 2026, which was published in the Gazette on 10 April 2026, establishes a general administrative framework for misconduct, notice of allegations, hearings, investigations, punishment, appeals and review concerning government employees. However, it does not separately define standards of professional and respectful conduct towards female colleagues, nor does it include workplace sexual harassment, abuse or exploitation as a distinct form of misconduct or a separate ground for punishment. It also does not establish a victim-centred mechanism for reporting complaints, confidentiality, protection, support or redress for persons subjected to sexual harassment.
Subsequently, on 29 June 2026, the Minister of Women and Children Affairs informed Parliament that initiatives were under way to enact the proposed Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Educational Institutions Act, 2026. However, no timeline has been announced for finalising or introducing the bill in Parliament. The extent to which the revised legal framework will retain or modify the earlier definitions, complaint procedures, redress mechanisms and disciplinary provisions can only be assessed once the draft legislation is made publicly available.
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