Economic Discrimination Against Faith-Based Minority Women in Bangladesh: Ethical Perspectives and Pathways to Justice

What happens to society’s progress when minority women are excluded due to their gender and faith and left behind in economic development? This question mainly focuses on a crucial issue in Bangladesh where women from faith-based minority groups face economic struggles. These challenges are made worse by cultural barriers and discrimination which reduce their ability to take part in the development of the country. Reducing these economic inequalities is very important, not only for promoting gender and faith-based inequality but also for achieving the country’s development. By looking at these issues through ethical lenses and ideas like Confucian Ethics, Marx’s Theory, and Feminist Ethics, we can find a way to ensure fairness and suggest practical solutions.

From a Confucian viewpoint, reducing inequality requires leaders to act like exemplary persons (The Gentlemen), someone who follows moral values, fairness, and kindness. Confucian ethics uses ideas such as Ren(Embodied Character) and Yi (Righteous knowledge) to encourage policymakers to show these qualities, which ensures their actions to promote fairness. Similarly, Rational ethics that an individual ideal person influences other 10 persons in the community. Marx’s theory points out the cause of economic exclusion and feminist ethics tells us how gender and faith create greater challenges for women and it calls for care and support to empower marginalization. 

Addressing these challenges is not only just a moral responsibility but also a step to building a society where fairness remains. For example, women from minority groups are often left out of formal job opportunities and have very limited access to resources like job training and loans  (Gender Equality Brief: Bangladesh 2024, 2024). If necessary action are not taken, these inequalities will grow worse which will slow the county’s development and social unity.

Bangladesh's Minority Women March for Rights

Minority women in Bangladesh face economic discrimination that limits their access to jobs, financial resources, and fair wages. Religion and gender discrimination often prevent minority women from getting jobs, and if they do get jobs, they are pushed into low-wage or odd jobs. These women are underrepresented in both the private and public sectors and have only a few chances for career growth (Gender Equality Brief: Bangladesh 2024, 2024). Even if they get employed, minority women face biases at work. In the garment manufacturing industry, minority women get lower wages than majority women (Huynh, 2016). 

Minority Women Lost Land during
Liberation War, 1971

During the Liberation War of 1971, it deeply affected the lives of faith based minority women in Bangladesh, which caused economic challenges. During the war, many minority communities especially Hindu women faced displacement and violence. They were forced to migrate. this led to the loss of homes and other economic asset which pushed the minority women into economic hardship (Hindus in Bangladesh, 2018). After the war, the government ignored the specific needs of displaced minorities. They only focus on majority groups and leaving minority women with no support such as job opportunities and financial aid. 

Confucian ethics encourage leaders to show kindness, fairness, and moral responsibilities to support marginalized groups. The idea of Ren (Embodied Character) calls on policymakers, to focus on the needs of minorities by creating inclusive policies, such as government programs that support women entrepreneurs (Confucious,1997, 12:1). Yi represents righteous knowledge which promotes fairness in society, which includes equal pay and access to financial resources. The government should promote Yi by ensuring wage gap reduction that helps minority women and find them job opportunities. Li indicates cultural knowledge, sometimes a good action also becomes ritual in society. Ren and Li can make an exemplary person who can influence other people in the community, and the influenced people can do the same. They can provide support to the minority women. Additionally, Marx’s ethics critiques a system, that maintains economic inequality. Minority women are often trapped in low-paying jobs that show how profit profit-centered system is fair to address fairness(Marx & Engels, 1848/1969). When we remove the Bourgeoisie (ruling class) class from society and set the proletariat (working class) government, then it creates a society without discrimination. Correspondingly, Feminist ethics highlights society’s role in protecting and empowering vulnerable women, which removes economic and social disadvantages (MacKay, p.67). 

Barriers and cultural traditions have created economic struggles for minority women in Bangladesh. Religious and gender discrimination often pushes women into wage gaps and odd jobs or unpaid domestic work. During the war, targeted Hindu families women have to left without land and made them financially unstable (Hindus in Bangladesh, 2018). These barriers combined with patriarchal norms continue to trap women in a cycle of poverty anf exclusion. Ethical ideas can help find solutions to these problems. Confucian ethics encourage leaders to act with fairness which highlights the shared responsibilities of society and governments that include everyone (Confucious,1997). Marxist Ethics criticizes unfair systems and suggests changes like fair land distribution and financial support(Marx & Engels, 1848/1969). Feminist ethics focuses on care and understanding of challenges, which calls for programs like job training and equal pay policy to help minority women (MacKay, p.67). 

Majority vs Minority in Bangladesh
(Economic Discrimination)

According to Nuha, Based on Utilitarianism, it focuses on the discrimination which is faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh, which highlights the political exclusion, violence, and institutional unfairness. She argues that respecting individuals' rights and ensuring justice are the keys to achieving happiness and stability in society. However, her approach addresses minorities as a whole and may overlook specific groups like faith-based minority women, who face specific problems such as wage gap, job problems and lack of financial resources. My perspective according to feminism and Confucian ethics highlights the combined challenges of religion and gender that minority women face. I focus on reducing the wage gap, promoting economic inclusion and improving job access. My approach highlights solutions to empower vulnerable groups, while Confucian ethics encourage moral leadership to ensure fairness. Although Nuha’s approach aims for broad societal harmony, it risks favoring the majority. My method targets structural reforms that address deeper inequalities for a change.

Reference:

1. Gender Equality Brief: Bangladesh 2024. (2024). UN Women – Asia-Pacific. https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2024/04/gender-equality-brief-bangladesh-2024#view

2. Huynh, P. (2016, April). Gender pay gaps persist in Asia’s garment and footwear sector. Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/asia

3. Hindus in Bangladesh. (2018). Minority Rights Group. https://minorityrights.org/communities/hindus/

4. Confucius. (1979). (The Analects, D.C. Lau). Penguin Classics.

5. Marx, K., & Engels, F. (1969). Manifesto of the Communist Party (S. Moore, Trans.). In Marx/Engels Selected Works, Vol. One (pp. 98–137). Progress Publishers. (Original work published 1848). 

6. MacKay, K. (n.d.). Feminism and feminist ethics. In F. A. Abumere, D. Giles, Y. -Y. Kao, M Klenk, J. Kranak, K. MacKay, J. Morgan, P. Rezkalla, G. Matthews, & C. Hendricks (Eds.), Introduction to philosophy: Ethics (pp. 64-72). Rebus Community.