GET IN TOUCH
- Please wait...
Zahedul Amin, Co-founder and Director at LightCastle Partners, recently appeared on Radio Shadhin’s live show Oporajita. This episode focused on gender equality and economic development in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, featuring insights from Tanzila Tajreen, Senior Policy Advisor at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh. Together, they discussed the crucial role of women in Bangladesh’s journey to becoming a global RMG leader and explored strategies to enhance the lives of women workers in the industry.
“Without women, the RMG sector is unimaginable—and without the RMG sector, so is Bangladesh.”
A key discussion in the Oporajita episode highlighted Bangladesh’s leadership in women’s workforce participation within South Asia, distinguishing it from regional counterparts like India and Pakistan. Women make up an impressive 37% of the labor force in Bangladesh, significantly higher than India’s 25% and Pakistan’s rate of under 20%.
This success is largely credited to Bangladesh’s thriving Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector, which serves as a backbone for female employment. Approximately 85% of workers in this sector are women, who contribute immensely to an industry that has propelled Bangladesh into the position of the world’s second-largest garment exporter. This sector not only bolsters Bangladesh’s economy but also acts as a powerful vehicle for economic empowerment and social mobility for women across the country.
The episode emphasized that Bangladesh’s achievements stem from policies supporting female employment, educational initiatives, and improvements in workplace safety. This approach offers valuable insights into how strategic interventions can enhance women’s workforce participation and advance gender equality, presenting a model for other countries striving for similar progress in economic inclusion and gender equity.
The Oporajita episode also highlighted that empirical evidence supports the notion that women in Bangladesh often demonstrate superior money management skills compared to men. This finding suggests that women tend to be more prudent and strategic in their financial decisions, resulting in better outcomes for their households and communities.
Research indicates that Bangladeshi women are more likely to prioritize savings, budget effectively, and make informed investment choices. Their careful approach to finances contributes not only to household stability but also fosters a culture of responsible spending within their communities. In the context of the RMG sector, where a significant portion of the workforce is female, many women who are primary breadwinners allocate their earnings towards essential family needs, such as education and healthcare, thereby promoting long-term benefits for their families.
Moreover, studies have shown that women’s financial decisions in Bangladesh often lead to healthier household investments and improved economic resilience. By empowering women financially and providing access to financial education, the country can enhance economic stability and foster sustainable growth, underscoring the critical role that women play in driving Bangladesh’s economic development.
The Oporajita episode addressed a troubling trend: women’s participation in Bangladesh’s RMG sector is declining as automation becomes more prevalent. This decline is often fueled by the misconception that men are inherently better at handling machinery, leading to significant gender imbalances in roles related to technology and automated processes.
Additionally, the lack of female representation in mid-management to top management positions exacerbates this issue. With very few women in decision-making roles, companies are less likely to prioritize training and promoting female workers in technical and managerial positions. This perpetuates the belief that women are less capable of operating advanced machinery, resulting in further marginalization of women in the workforce.
To counteract these trends, it is essential to challenge these misconceptions and actively promote the involvement of women at all levels of the RMG sector. Providing training and leadership opportunities for women can help ensure they remain integral to the industry, even as automation changes the work landscape. Empowering women in the RMG sector will not only support gender equality but also strengthen the overall economic resilience of Bangladesh.
Listen to the full discussion from the show here.
Our experts can help you solve your unique challenges
