The Price of inequality: Unpacking the ripple effect of the gender pay gap in Bangladesh
From agriculture to garments to corporate offices, Bangladeshi women earn far less than men for the same work. The numbers tell a stark story of discrimination that continues to hold back both women and the economy
Bangladesh is racing toward middle-income status, but one glaring issue threatens to stall its progress—the persistent gender pay gap. While even a decade ago the pay gap was a global bone of contention, much of the world has since taken steps to alleviate it. In Bangladesh, however, this discussion is yet to begin in earnest.
Let the numbers do the talking. In agriculture, women reportedly earn 57% less per hour than men. The ready-made garments (RMG) sector, the backbone of Bangladesh's economy, is no exception: men earn 22% to 30% more in base wages than women performing similar work.
Nearly one-third of Bangladesh's labour force—25.93 million women working alongside 47.48 million men—faces glaring underrepresentation and persistent discrimination. Why does a third of the workforce still carry less than a third of the power, pay, and respect?
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Across most sectors in Bangladesh—whether tech, finance, or industry—men dominate. Women are often channelled into low-paying, low-skilled jobs due to restrictive norms, while men monopolise supervisory, managerial, and ownership roles.
A hostile work environment and widening legal gaps are recurring themes in any analysis of the gender pay gap. Over 80% of garment workers have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment or abuse, yet fear of retaliation keeps many from speaking up. Despite laws mandating childcare facilities for large employers, most workplaces fail to comply. Many women are forced out of the workforce after childbirth due to a lack of institutional and social support.
Workplace discrimination wears many faces: overlooked overtime, missed promotions, and—worst of all—unequal pay for equal work. As Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, once said:
"There's no such thing as a free ride or equal pay if you're a woman in a man's world."
Equality must be more than a slogan—it must be enforced, from factory floors to corporate cubicles. And it must be reflected on paychecks.
When women are paid less, they save less, invest less, and are more vulnerable in times of crisis. The cycle reinforces itself, trapping families—and the country—in poverty.
Yet there is hope. According to the Global Gender Gap Index 2025 by the World Economic Forum, Bangladesh has achieved an impressive 77.5% gender parity—leapfrogging 75 other nations in the global ranking.
Unionisation and female leadership in worker representation also offer a path forward. Unions give women the power to voice concerns, challenge wage disparities, and fight unsafe conditions. When women lead these efforts, they bring lived experience to the table, ensuring gender-specific issues are not only heard but addressed.
Bridging the gender pay gap in Bangladesh is not just a moral imperative—it is the key to unlocking the nation's full socio-economic potential. Policymakers, employers, and society at large must commit to enforcing equal pay laws.
As Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai once said:
"Empowering women is the key to building a future we all want."
It's time to give women the floor—because when they speak, the applause is always the loudest.
Zahraa Bint Zahid is a contributor
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
