Bangladesh sees drop in women’s share of civil service jobs after quota repeal
After the 2024 student uprising eliminated most government hiring quotas, the proportion of women entering Bangladesh’s top civil service positions has declined sharply.
Student-led protests in 2024 toppled the government and led to the abolition of most hiring quotas for Bangladesh’s civil service, including the 10 percent reserved for women. The Bangladesh Public Service Commission now fills about 93 percent of Class I posts on merit, leaving only a small quota for descendants of freedom fighters and other groups. Prior to the reform, women made up a notable share of recruits, but recent exam results show a marked reduction.
A senior BPSC official described the outcome as uncomfortable, while a former bureaucrat suggested targeted coaching to help women compete. Observers fear the shrinking female presence will affect policy making and the availability of women officers in police and education sectors.
