Dhaka: The Gender Champions Network (GCN), an initiative by SAJIDA Foundation with support from the Gates Foundation, was launched in Dhaka, emphasizing the need for stronger private-sector commitment to gender equity and inclusive workplaces in Bangladesh. The launch event, titled ‘Transforming Workplaces: Driving Equity and Empowering Action,’ gathered business leaders, development practitioners, academics, researchers, and corporate professionals to discuss the initiative’s goals and findings.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the event unveiled findings from a study titled ‘Gender at Work: A Study of Selected Private Sector Firms in Bangladesh,’ which highlighted persistent gender disparities across sectors such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals, real estate, and leather. The study revealed that women fill 22 percent of entry-level positions but only 6 percent of mid-management roles, showing a significant drop in female representation as careers progress.
The study further identified that women earn 85 taka for every 100 taka earned by men, with the pay gap at leadership levels exceeding 40 percent. Women also face limited access to technical and leadership training opportunities and bear a heavier overall workload when unpaid care responsibilities are considered. The research focused on six key areas: gender representation, pay equity, fair recruitment and promotion, career advancement and mentorship, workplace culture and protections, and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Sajeda Amin, Senior Research Advisor at SAJIDA Foundation, featured Anupama Anand of the Gates Foundation, Professor Dr. Melita Mehjabeen of the University of Dhaka, and Chairman of National Bank PLC, Ruhul Quddus Khan, CEO and Managing Director of Unilever Bangladesh, Nihad Kabir of Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed and Associates, and Zahida Fizza Kabir, CEO of SAJIDA Foundation and Chairperson of the Gender Champions Network. During the discussion, Ruhul Quddus Khan emphasized the importance of treating gender equality as a business priority across organizations.
Zahida Fizza Kabir stressed that gender justice is a human right and highlighted the need for organizational commitment to inclusivity and institutional reform. Anupama Anand pointed out that although women make up half of Bangladesh’s working-age population, female labor force participation remains at 35 percent, attributing this gap to structural barriers rather than a lack of aspiration.
According to organizers, the Gender Champions Network aims to unite companies committed to inclusive practices and support measurable improvements through partnerships, expert guidance, workshops, and policy advocacy. Ten organizations have already joined the network as founding champions.