The State of Democracy and Women’s Safety in Bangladesh: Insights from the BYLC Youth Matters Survey 2025

Title: As Bangladesh’s National Election Approaches, Youth Voices Demand Genuine Change

DHAKA – With the 13th national election on the horizon, political leaders in Bangladesh are once again ramping up their campaigns, making grand promises and flexing their political muscles. However, a recent survey by the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) raises a critical question: Are these leaders truly listening to the voices of the people and upholding democratic values?

The BYLC’s Youth Matters Survey 2025, which surveyed 2,545 individuals aged 18-35, reveals alarming insights into the state of safety and communal harmony in Bangladesh. A staggering 76 percent of respondents believe that women do not feel safe in the country, while 23.5 percent express concerns about a lack of communal harmony. These figures paint a troubling picture of a society grappling with insecurity and division.

The survey’s demographic breakdown is equally telling, with over 56 percent of respondents hailing from rural areas and nearly 30 percent identifying as female homemakers. This demographic diversity highlights the varying experiences and perceptions of safety and harmony across different segments of society.

The findings indicate a stark contradiction between perceptions of communal peace and personal safety. Among those who perceive a lack of harmony, 42.2 percent believe that Bangladeshi society is becoming increasingly polarized. This polarization threatens to unravel the nation’s social fabric, eroding trust in democratic institutions and pushing citizens toward authoritarianism and populism, as noted in a 2021 study by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).

Recent events underscore this growing polarization. The interim government has increasingly conformed to populist pressures, evidenced by the controversial decision to eliminate music and physical education teacher positions in primary schools and the arrest of Baul singer Abul Sarkar over alleged religious offenses. Such actions have sparked protests, with demonstrators facing violence from groups like the “Touhidi Janata,” signaling a troubling trend of rising authoritarianism and diminishing democratic values.

Human Rights Watch reports that nearly 250 individuals, including police and supporters from various political factions, have lost their lives in politically motivated violence since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. The recent unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts further illustrates the precarious situation for progressive groups and minority communities, who face harassment and threats to their freedoms.

The survey also sheds light on the perceptions of women’s safety, revealing that over 40 percent of respondents attribute insecurity to a lack of law enforcement and protection. This alarming statistic reflects a deep-seated mistrust in the rule of law and state institutions, highlighting a significant disconnect between political rhetoric and the lived realities of women.

In a recent campaign promise, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Amir Shafiqur Rahman proposed reducing women’s working hours from eight to five while ensuring full pay, framing it as a gesture of respect for homemakers. However, this proposal has been criticized as patronizing and politically motivated, diverting attention from pressing issues of safety and equality. Instead of empowering women, it risks undermining their economic independence and perpetuating gender inequality.

With youth unemployment in Bangladesh at a staggering 42 percent for young women, such proposals do little to address the root causes of insecurity and economic disparity. Instead of implementing policies that promote safety, eradicate gender-based violence, and create job opportunities, these political gimmicks threaten to further entrench existing inequalities.

As the national election draws near, the call for actionable plans that address the daily challenges faced by youth, women, and marginalized groups grows louder. Beyond mere political promises, there is a pressing need for state institutions that uphold democracy, justice, and good governance.

The youth of Bangladesh are demanding a political landscape that delivers real results. The question remains: Will politicians heed their call amidst the clamor of electioneering, or will they continue to prioritize political maneuvering over genuine engagement with the issues that matter most?

Jannatul Mawa works in online education and youth development. She can be reached at jannatulmawa811@gmail.com.

Views expressed in this article are the author’s own.