Culture, Career, and Empowerment for Women at BRAC Bank

BRAC Bank is where women redefine what's possible. It's more than just a bank; it's an infrastructure designed to inspire, elevate, and empower women to lead, innovate, and succeed.

With a clear focus on gender equality, leadership development, and employee well-being, BRAC Bank is dismantling traditional boundaries and opening doors for women to take charge of their careers. Here, women are encouraged to shape the future of banking, break barriers, and make a lasting impact.

The bank has launched several initiatives that support women's career growth. By prioritising leadership development, skill-building, and workplace inclusivity, BRAC Bank creates opportunities for women to step into senior roles and drive meaningful change in the financial industry.

Setting a benchmark for gender inclusion, BRAC Bank introduced all-women branches, where female staff manage every aspect of operations, from customer service to security. This initiative demonstrates the bank's trust in women's abilities and commitment to promoting gender diversity within the sector. 

In addition, the bank has hired 26 women for sales roles and plans to expand the team to 500. The aim is to provide banking services to women SME entrepreneurs and challenge traditional norms of women being typically underrepresented in sales-driven roles.

In 2016, BRAC Bank launched TARA Forum, an internal network for women, which has grown to be the largest private-sector network for women bankers in Bangladesh. TARA serves as a platform for mentorship, career guidance, and peer support, tackling workplace challenges while fostering professional growth for female employees.

To nurture the next generation of leaders, the bank introduced ELEA (Enlightened Leaders Exemplify Achievement), a structured leadership programme designed to equip women with the skills, industry insights, and strategic mindset needed for senior management roles.

BRAC Bank also celebrates excellence through its 'Women Warriors' initiative, which honours outstanding female coworkers serving in the frontline each quarter, reinforcing a culture of meritocracy and achievement.

The bank ensures a well-rounded work environment by offering wellness programmes, including virtual and in-person yoga sessions, a fully equipped gym with separate schedules for female coworkers, and a dedicated prayer room. In addition, it organises recreational activities such as reading clubs, music clubs, game tournaments, and the "DOUR" mini-marathon.

With a workforce of over 10,000 employees, BRAC Bank is deeply committed to gender diversity. Three women are board directors, and Bangladesh's first female Chief Technology Officer (CTO) is based there.

BRAC Bank upholds a zero-tolerance policy against workplace harassment and discrimination. Regular awareness initiatives ensure that employees are well-versed in policies like the Sexual Harassment and Elimination (SHE) Policy, Workplace Occupational Health & Safety, and the Speak-Up Policy.

To support a better work-life balance, the bank offers a subsidised shuttle service for female employees, alleviating the challenges of daily commutes. Additionally, its state-of-the-art daycare centre— the first of its kind in Bangladesh's banking sector— provides free childcare services. Women coworkers also benefit from six months of fully paid maternity leave.

Women currently comprise 15% of BRAC Bank's workforce, which aims to increase to 25% by 2027. By prioritising gender inclusivity, leadership development, and well-being, the bank continues to lead the way as one of Bangladesh's most progressive employers for women in the banking industry, setting a new standard that resonates far beyond the sector.