Despite numerous positive advancements, patriarchal values and practices still limit Bangladeshi women’s opportunities for education and employment. They also place them at a greater risk of violence in the form of rape, acid attacks and trafficking. Bangladesh is one of seven countries in the world where the number of women is less than that of men. This report provides information and analysis on the status of Bangladeshi women from 1997 to 2002. It also outlines the measures taken by both the government and the NGO sector to address the challenges faced by Bangladeshi women. The “Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000” and the “Acid Crimes Control Act 2002” have been adopted. A “One Stop Crisis Centre” has been set up, a multi-sectoral pilot project aimed at supporting female victims of violence. The “Child Development Coordinated Project to Combat Child Trafficking” has been established to address the growing problem of child trafficking. The government, with support from NGOs, is also reviewing its remaining two reservations on the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) (Article 2 and Article 16.c) to consider whether they can be withdrawn.