BE Magazine

Women’s Empowerment
Monthly business magazine
Women in Bangladesh
FACING OFF CHALLENGES
43
Women’s Empowerment
g BE Bangladesh Desk
Bangladeshi women scaling Mount Everest
is not a metaphor, but actual fact. Women’s
economic input right at the bottom of the
pyramid, up to women’s prime role at
the apex national leadership, is obvious
demonstration women’s resilience, aptitude and
prowess. Inclusive development and prosperity
practically depend on women’s participation in
economic, social and political sphere.
Participation of women workforce increased to 18.6
million in 2016-17, from 16.2 million in 2010. This
numerical data however does not depict the real
picture at the bottom of the pyramid. Rural women
in Bangladesh make huge contribution to producing,
processing and preparing provisions for sustenance.
Women carry out multiple responsibilities within
and beyond their household work; mostly working
as unpaid family workers. Activities of women in the
agriculture sector include Cultivation, Post-harvest
processing and Preservation, Poultry, Livestock,
Home Gardening and Vegetable growing etc. It is
estimated that women constitute over 45% of the
total population engaged in agriculture.
The Readymade Garment (RMG) sector is the largest
employer of women in Bangladesh. It is estimated
that 80% of the garments worker are women. Other
manufacturing sectors like the leather industry and
pharmaceuticals also employ a number of women.
Active participation of women in the healthcare
sector is rising, with significant number of female
doctors and nurses.
December, 2019
Monthly business magazine