Women’s Rights in Bangladesh and Around the Commonwealth

Bangladesh is notable for having two female prime ministers continuously since 1991, except for a two-year period from the end of October, 2006, when the Bangladesh Nationalist Party resigned, until January, 2009, when the Awami League won the general election. During this twenty-six month hiccup, a caretaker government supported by civil society leaders and the military ruled without the mandate of the people. Yet, in a world where female leaders – in fact, even female lawmakers or CEOs – are rare exceptions, it is remarkable that for nearly thirty years, Bangladesh has been governed by women.