Dhaka: Speakers at a webinar today emphasized the importance of enhancing women’s participation in the economic sector to eliminate gender disparity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the speakers highlighted Bangladesh’s achievements in education and healthcare for women, but noted a lag in economic participation compared to other nations.
The panel discussion titled ‘Women’s Participation in Bangladesh’s Economy: A Review of Recent Trends’ was organized by the private research organization Unnayan Shamannay. It featured panelists including women’s rights activists, labor organizers, economists, university faculty and students, and civil society representatives.
Dr. Mahfuz Kabir, Research Director at BIISS, stressed the importance of increasing women’s involvement in emerging economic sectors and addressing challenges faced by women entrepreneurs. Taslima Akhter, president of the Garment Workers’ Solidarity, criticized the notion that Bangladesh’s economy cannot focus on women’s economic empowerm
ent, citing examples from other lower middle-income countries.
Research Officer Aroni Haque of Unnayan Shamannay noted that despite significant budget allocations for gender equality, the impact on women’s economic participation remains limited. She highlighted that women’s workforce participation has increased, but many remain in low-wage jobs, with average wages declining by 9 percent from 2017 to 2022.
Umme Farhana, Associate Professor at Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, explained that women face numerous obstacles when choosing jobs, often prioritizing factors beyond economic gains. Dr. Fatema Sultana Suva of Jagannath University discussed societal beliefs influencing women’s career choices, particularly in fieldwork.
Other panelists included Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam of the University of Dhaka and Zahid Rahman of the National Char Alliance. In his closing remarks, Abdullah Nadvi, Research Director of Unnayan Shamannay, emphasized recognizing women’s contributions in agriculture as men shift to i
ndustrial and service sectors, to ensure they benefit equally from economic progress.