Culture, career, and empowerment for women at BRAC Bank

BRAC Bank is fostering a workplace where women redefine possibilities, breaking barriers to lead, innovate, and succeed in the banking sector. Committed to gender equality, leadership development, and employee well-being, the bank is creating opportunities for women to take charge of their careers and drive meaningful change.

BRAC Bank has introduced several initiatives to support women's career growth, focusing on leadership development, skill-building, and workplace inclusivity. The bank's all-women branches, managed entirely by female staff, reflect its trust in women's capabilities and commitment to gender diversity.

In a pioneering move, BRAC Bank has hired 26 women in sales roles, with plans to expand this team to 500. This initiative aims to provide banking services to women SME entrepreneurs and challenge traditional norms where women are underrepresented in sales-driven roles.

Since its launch in 2016, the TARA Forum—Bangladesh's largest private-sector network for women bankers—has provided mentorship, career guidance, and peer support. To nurture future leaders, the bank has also introduced ELEA (Enlightened Leaders Exemplify Achievement), a structured leadership programme designed to equip women with the skills and insights needed for senior management roles.

Recognising excellence, the 'Women Warriors' initiative honours outstanding female coworkers in frontline roles each quarter, fostering a culture of meritocracy. Additionally, BRAC Bank promotes employee well-being through wellness programmes, a dedicated gym with separate schedules for female coworkers, and recreational activities such as reading clubs, music clubs, game tournaments, and the "DOUR" mini-marathon.

With a workforce of over 10,000, BRAC Bank remains committed to gender diversity, with three women serving on its board and the country's first female chief technology officer (CTO) in the banking sector. The bank upholds a zero-tolerance policy against workplace harassment and conducts regular awareness programmes on policies such as the Sexual Harassment and Elimination (SHE) Policy, Workplace Occupational Health & Safety, and the Speak-Up Policy.

To support work-life balance, BRAC Bank provides a subsidised shuttle service for female employees and operates a state-of-the-art daycare centre—the first of its kind in Bangladesh's banking sector—offering free childcare services. Women employees also benefit from six months of fully paid maternity leave.

Currently, women constitute 15% of BRAC Bank's workforce, to increase this to 25% by 2027. By prioritising inclusivity, leadership development, and well-being, the bank continues to set a new standard for women's empowerment in the banking industry.