Bangladesh: General strike against new pro women policy

In Dhaka, Mirpur, Kakrail, Malibagh and other cities, violent clashes with police took place. Some eyewitnesses said police used batons against pro-strike pickets to disperse strikers. A number of people, including police agents were injured.

The strike did not cause any major disruption in the cities. Most shops, factories and schools had already closed in anticipation of the strike, but buses, mini-buses and rickshaws continued to operate.

On 7 March, the Bangladeshi cabinet approved the National Women Development Policy 2011. It provides women with an equal share in property as well as greater opportunities in employment and business. This has led to protest.

Under Islamic law, women are entitled to only a quarter of what men inherit. If adopted, the new policy would give every offspring the same share of a father’s inheritance.

For the adversaries of the new policy, this is a complete violation of the Qur‘an and unfair towards men. They claim that because men have to support their wives, women should less for their dowry.