Increase women’s participation in economy to eliminate gender disparity: Rights activists

In order to eliminate gender disparity, it is imperative to focus particularly on boosting women's participation in the economic sector, rights activists and labour organisers have said. 

They made the observation at an online panel discussion titled "Women's Participation in Bangladesh's Economy: A Review of Recent Trends," organised by the private research organisation Unnayan Shamannay, held on the occasion of International Women's Day.

Presenting the keynote, Unnayan Shamannay's Research Officer Aroni Haque said although 27 to 34% of the national budget in recent fiscal years has been allocated for gender equality measures, this expenditure has not had the desired impact on increasing women's participation in the economy. 

She noted that even though the participation of women in the workforce has grown, most women remain employed in low-wage jobs. Consequently, between 2017 and 2022, the average wage for women have declined by 9%. 

Umme Farhana, associate professor in the English Department at the Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, said when choosing a profession or job, women must consider not only the economic gains or losses but also many other factors. 

She further argued that the obstacles to obtaining employment far outweigh the salary benefits, which is why educated middle-class women often opt not to seek jobs. In contrast, young women from extremely impoverished families sometimes forgo higher-paying opportunities in the fields in favor of domestic work. 

Fatema Sultana Suva, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology at Jagannath University, said such decisions are influenced by the belief that fieldwork may darken one's skin, thereby reducing marriage prospects.

Mahfuz Kabir, research director at BIISS and economist, said it is crucial to ensure from the outset that women have a greater share in the emerging sectors of the economy. 

He also stressed the need to address the various challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. 

Taslima Akhter, president of the Garment Workers' Solidarity and a member of the Labour Reforms Commission, pointed out that the argument often made that Bangladesh's small economy cannot place much emphasis on women's economic empowerment is flawed. 

She further noted that many lower-middle-income countries, such as Bolivia, Benin, and Nepal, have made significant strides in empowering women economically. Thus, she believes that with proper investment and a shift in social perspectives, Bangladesh can also accelerate women's economic empowerment. 

Also present on the panel were Kazi Maruful Islam, professor in the Department of Development Studies at the Dhaka University, and Zahid Rahman, member secretary of the National Char Alliance.

In his closing remarks, Unnayan Shamannay Research Director Abdullah Nadvi said in Bangladesh, men are leaving the agricultural sector in pursuit of higher incomes by moving into the industrial and service sectors. "Meanwhile, women are helping to fill the void created in agriculture. Therefore, to maintain overall economic balance, it is essential to recognise these contributions and ensure that women also equally benefit from economic progress."