International Journal of Social Science Studies Vol. 2, No. 2; April 2014 ISSN 2324-8033 E-ISSN 2324-8041 Published by Redfame Publishing URL: http://ijsss.redfame.com 100 Social Norms and Impediments of Women Development in Bangladesh Abul Kalam Lecturer in Sociology, Department of Economics, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT)Mirpur-2, Dhaka, Bangladesh Correspondence: Md. KALAM, 32-44 Steinway Astoria, NY11103, United States. Received: January 11, 2014 Accepted: February 17, 2014 Available online: March 3, 2014 doi:10.11114/ijsss.v2i2.365 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.11114/ijsss.v2i2.365 Abstract This study focuses upon the contemporary process of Social Norms and Impediments of Women Development in Bangladesh. The development of women in organizations, Decision making, Political participation and gender mainstreaming is currently seen as the dominant conceptual model for promoting social justice and women equality. This study intends to see the position of women, discourses and various political, economic and social factors that surrounded these events. The impediments of women in Bangladesh were being pulled in different directions as a result, the context of social norms and gender inequality that existed at global, national, community and domestic levels. Child marriage is one of the main impediments of women empowerment and implementation of the government‟s vision-2021. In Bangladesh, the patriarchal capitalism puts women in such a position within their communities that they always remain subordinate under male domination and in many cases this is reflected through violence (Hadi, 2009). Keywords: Impediments, dowry, Social Norms, Violence, Empowerment, Freedom of Choice 1. Introduction Social norms are related to human behavior, attitude, and ethics. It is indicate the notions of society about what is good or bad. Most of the society is male dominating society as a result women are in vulnerable situation. Since the beginning of human civilization patriarchal societies males are emancipated and female are seeking equal of rights but social norm towards female suppression. Every step towards women equality is a struggle against of social norms. Bangladesh is a poor developing country in South Asia. Half of the total populations are women. Over all developments cannot be achieved without women participations and involvement in the development sectors of the country. But at the beginning of civilization the first agriculture and pastoralist society established by women. Long historical background of women development is exploitation by male. Women participation in socio-economic activities as well as decision making, political rights, human rights, decision making, access to properties, freedom of choice, freedom of speech everything are essential for women development but social norms are the main impediments of women development. Violence against women in Bangladesh is a very common practice which denies women‟s equal opportunity, security, self-esteem, and dignity in the family and in the society as an entire. Because most of the people in Bangladesh are Muslims as a result religious values and social traditions strictly prohibited women to go through out of social norms. That is why social norms are impediments of women development in Bangladesh. However, Bangladesh Government has recently passed the domestic violence (Prevention and Protection) Act of 2010 for the protection of women and children from family violence and discrimination. According to constitutions of Bangladesh “all citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of the law (Article 27 of the Constitution), The state shall not discriminate against any citizen on the grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth (Article 28(1), Women have equal rights with men in all spheres of the state and public life (Article 28(2). 2. Literature Review According to UNICEF 2008, includes different forms of abuse and exploitation in defining domestic violence perpetrated by intimate partners and other family members “Physical abuse such as slapping, beating, arm twisting, stabbing, strangling, burning, choking, kicking, threats with an object or weapon, and murder. It also includes traditional practices harmful to women such as female genital mutilation in African society or honor killings as well as sexual abuse such as coerced sex through threats, intimidation or physical force, forcing unwanted sexual acts or forcing sex with others. Kabeer, 1994 in her book Reversed Realities: Gender Hierarchies in Development Thought, examines the biases which