In a democracy, ordinary citizens have a very important role to play in the state affairs (Shihata 1997: 635) and every citizen is considered to be autonomous and self-determining. Post argues, 'Democracy requires that persons be treated equally insofar as they are autonomous participants in the process of self-government' (2005: 147). Democracy can ensure development covers all forms of human progress including 'political rights under a form of government based on broad participation' (Shihata 1997: 635). Although democracy requires that all persons be treated equally and considered autonomous and self-determining, women in Bangladesh and India are lagging behind men in nearly all spheres of development and democracy.