In conservative societies like Bangladesh, education is often seen as secondary to marriage for women. Once a woman is married, expectations from a woman sway toward managing household chores, caring for in-laws and eventually raising children. 

For many married women continuing their education becomes a monumental challenge. Yet, despite societal pressures and countless hardships many married female students persist through academic commitments along with family responsibilities. Let’s hear the stories that reveal the struggles and the support systems that helped married women balance both academic and married lives.

We live in a society where the primary role of a woman is to be a wife and homemaker. A woman’s success is frequently measured by her ability to maintain a neat and clean home and good relations with in-laws.

Pursuing higher education after marriage is often considered something unnecessary. Shilpa (pseudonym), a student from the Department of Management at Dhaka University shared her experience, “In our society people believe that there’s no need to continue education after marriage. You have to serve your in-laws over your education even if you have a final exam the next day it doesn’t matter” 

This sentiment echoes the cultural narrative that prioritises family life over personal growth, particularly for women. 

Other than the cultural norms another big challenge is time management. Balancing household responsibilities with academic deadlines can be very overwhelming. These women are often stretched thin between cooking, cleaning and meeting coursework requirements. Which often leads to sacrifices in either personal or academic life. 

A student from North South University (NSU), studying Computer Science, spoke candidly about her struggle to manage her time, “My married life didn’t directly affect my ability to participate in extracurricular activities but I barely get the time because of my tight schedule. I’m constantly juggling my married life and academics and sometimes I have to sacrifice things in one area to focus on another.”

While some students are struggling to find time, others are fortunate enough to have a support system. In many cases, the husband’s understanding and willingness to share household responsibilities can make the difference between academic success and failure. 

Nowrin Islam Niva, a student from the University of Asia Pacific (UAP), credits her husband’s support as the key to her success, “My husband is very supportive. That’s unique for me and makes me feel stronger in my academic pursuits. His understanding helps me balance my responsibilities and keep going.” 

Having a spouse who understands the value of education and actively participates in easing the burden of household duties can empower married students to continue their education without feeling overwhelmed. 

However, as one student from Dhaka University noted, the level of support often depends on the family a woman marries into, “It’s crucial to marry into an educated family where not only your husband is educated but so are the in-laws. So that they have minimum understanding and values your education as well.” 

However, whether or not the women have a support system, this journey will always involve sacrifices. Another student from NSU reflected on the sacrifices she had to make, “In our daily life if we want to achieve something, we have to sacrifice something else. I’ve had to let go of certain academic goals or opportunities because it’s impossible to be active in everything as a wife and a student.” These compromises often lead to missed opportunities in academics, extracurricular activities, or even personal aspirations, as students prioritise their families over their own goals.

Although, if the universities stepped up to provide better resources for married students the situation might be different. Flexible deadlines, financial aid, and mental health support are crucial for helping married female students balance their academic and personal lives. 

The NSU student also expressed her belief that universities should offer more scholarships and financial aid for married students, “Not everyone can afford both education alongside household expenses. Universities should provide scholarships, especially for pregnant women or those facing financial difficulties. It would make a huge difference.”

Meanwhile, Sabrina Tabassum, a Computer Science student from Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), called for more flexibility in academic deadlines, “I wish universities had support groups for married students to share experiences and advice. Flexible deadlines would also help especially during high-stress periods when managing both home and studies becomes overwhelming.” 

These suggestions highlight the need for institutional reforms to better accommodate married students.

We have to remember that it’s not all hard and impossible, there are also stories of women who have successfully navigated both worlds. 

Samia (pseudonym), an undergraduate student of the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), shared how teamwork with her husband allowed her to focus on her studies, “My husband adjusted his work schedule to help me with household duties and we also hired part time help. It wasn’t easy but we worked together to make sure I could continue my studies.” 

Another anonymous student from ULAB emphasised the importance of clear communication, “My husband and I are both students so we made a schedule that allowed me to study during the night and focus on family in the morning. It wasn’t perfect but having a routine helped me stay on track and not feel pressured.”

These stories demonstrate that success is possible when there is mutual understanding and effort from both partners as well as the in-laws. 

The experiences of married female students of Bangladesh reveal the complex balancing act they perform daily. Between cultural expectations, academic demands and family responsibilities these women navigate a challenging path. However, with strong support systems from both family and universities, they can and do succeed.

As society progresses, it is crucial to recognise the importance of education for women. Universities, families, and communities must step up to ensure that these students receive the support they need and enable them to thrive in both their academic and personal lives.