A girl born today may have to wait 123 years to see gender equality achieved globally, far beyond her expected lifespan, according to the latest data from the World Economic Forum.

Advocacy group Sightsavers, an international organisation working with governments and partners in more than 30 countries across Africa and Asia, said the findings highlight the scale of the challenge facing women and girls in Bangladesh and elsewhere.

A century ago, women could not vote and Dhaka’s Ahsan Manzil had only recently been built. Although the world has changed dramatically since then, progress towards gender equality remains slow, the group said.

Compared with men, women and girls are still less likely to attend school or hold jobs. Women with disabilities face even greater barriers to equal participation in society.

While the gender gap spans several indicators, including access to health and education, economic empowerment remains one of the strongest drivers of long-term change. Without greater investment to expand women’s access to decent work, skills and financial independence, progress will remain limited.

In Bangladesh, one in five young women is unemployed, according to the World Bank. Women with disabilities face what it described as “double discrimination”, stemming from both gender inequality and disability stigma. Many experience higher poverty, violence, social exclusion and restricted access to education and jobs. With economic participation parity projected to take even longer than 123 years, Sightsavers called for targeted, disability-inclusive investment.

“We do not have to accept a 123-year wait or longer for equality,” said Amrita Rozario, country director at Sightsavers. “We urge the newly elected government to prioritise efforts to combat rising poverty in Bangladesh, which now affects nearly 28 percent of the population, with one in four poor households being female-headed. We hope the government will demonstrate its commitment to the people by making urgent investments to break the cycle.”

She added that programmes around the world show that when women, particularly those with disabilities, gain economic power, families and communities grow stronger and economies expand. Investing in women, especially those with disabilities, is an undervalued opportunity that even the World Bank says could add up to $21 trillion to global GDP.

In Bangladesh, the experience of 11-year-old Jhorna Khatun reflects the barriers faced by many girls with disabilities. Initially enrolled in a madrasa, she was forced to leave after teachers struggled to communicate with her.

Her situation changed when Sightsavers, through an inclusive education project, helped enrol her in a nearby school where teachers had received training in inclusive education. Since then, she has progressed in her studies and is learning practical skills such as sewing that could help her become financially independent.

Her experience shows how cooperation among organisations of persons with disabilities, teachers and communities can expand access to education, skills and future livelihoods for children with disabilities.

Ashrafun Nahar Misty, executive director of the Women with Disabilities Development Foundation, said women with disabilities remain an overlooked part of society despite their contributions.

“Their health, employment rights and participation in decision-making are often ignored, while violence, discrimination and superstitions threaten their well-being and access to justice,” she said. “Addressing these issues with urgency and inclusivity is crucial.”

Sightsavers urged greater investment in programmes that include women and girls with disabilities, saying coordinated efforts could help achieve gender equality within their lifetime.