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Doing Good in Exams, Not Getting into Govt Jobs

Social hurdles stand in women's way

Wasim Bin Habib
Their success rate in education shot up remarkably over the last decade, but when it comes to civil service, girls lag far behind the boys despite having a 10 percent quota.
In the last 10 civil service examinations since 2003, men dominated the recruitment chart with an average of 68 percent while women maintained a meagre 32 percent, less than half posts acquired by men.
In this case, the 10 percent female quota in Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) exams did not yield the expected result.
Educationists and experts say a significant number of women cannot pursue public sendee assessments due to social realities and barriers. Those who can cross the hurdle fail to qualify in the exams for more involvement in familial affairs than studies.
In the last decade, the number of girls at primary level has increased to a large extent with around 95 lakh female students are now studying. Even their pass rate was higher than the boys' in the last primary' terminal examinations.
Similarly, the number of girls taking the second- nearly seven lakh against around 4.5 lakh in 2003. Their pass rate in last year's SSG exams was also spectacular; about 88 percent, around 5.6 lakh, came out successful.
According to the University Grants Commission, the number of students pursuing higher education in public universities and colleges, and in private universities doubled to around 20 lakh in the last 10 years. Of them, more than eight lakh are female.
But their representation in civil service is not much satisfying.
The highest number of female candidates accepted in the last 10 years was in the 33rd BCS examination where 38 percent female candidates out of a total of 8,378 candidates were recruited in different posts.
However, around 55 percent female candidates were recruited in the 32nd (Special) BGS, but that was only for freedom fighters' dependents, and female and indigenous candidates.
"Women lag behind in competitive exams like BGS as they get less chance to prepare than a man usually gets," said Prof Mahbuba Nasreen of sociology department at Dhaka University.
Even after completing graduation or post graduation, a man can stay at dormitory' to prepare for BCS, she said, adding, "Women on the contrary' don't get the opportunity after a certain stage."
She said settling down in life was more important to women than pursuing a professional career in many families.
Noted educationist Rasheda K Choudhury agrees with the view.
She said, "In our country, most girls are married off during their education life. After marriage, a girl has to face challenges like managing the family, bringing up children and so on. Eventually, many such girls give up studies.”
Ayesha (not her real name), a homemaker of Mohammadpur, passed the preliminary' test of 32nd (Special) BCS exams, but she could not sit for the written tests as she had to give priority to the family over her career.
"My husband was in favour of taking the exams, but 1 had to give up as I could not prepare after managing the family and my two children," she said.
AT Ahmedul Huq, former chairman of Public Service Commission, said it becomes difficult for women to go for BCS examinations after marriage.
"BCS exam demands a lot of study and women who pursue this after their marriage cannot give much time for studies," he said, adding that that was why there was a 10 percent quota for female candidates.
Besides, civil service jobs involve transfer and posting. Most women hence avoid these jobs considering it a big challenge, observe the experts.
"Since a government employee can be transferred, many families do not want their daughters to work in distant places fearing for their safety," said Rasheda, also executive director of Campaign for Popular Education.
Tania Haque, chairperson of women and gender studies department at DU, said many women go through a tough time even in flexible jobs like teaching due to family responsibilities. They simply can't think of civil service.
"Where to stay when recruited, what happens after the transfer, or will the family agree to it - these questions hover around a woman's mind before going for any civil job," saidTania.
According to her, guardians want their daughters to study, but many of them, even the girls, are not focused on developing their own social identities.
Prof Mahbuba said women have lesser exposure in public domain and so their studies hardly go beyond the books prescribed at educational institutions.
The experts said the society still believes