The struggle of life often begins from the moment a woman is born. She has to pass through various adversities throughout her life. From childhood to education, family life, and even the workplace, women face countless obstacles. Bangladesh has come a long way on the path of women's progress. Women's employment opportunities have increased significantly, and today there has been a noticeable change in the position of women in both rural and urban areas. In the past, women's job opportunities were extremely limited. Although women constitute half of the total population, their participation in the labor market has still not reached the desired level.
According to the latest Labour Force Survey of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the current labor force participation rate of women stands at 42.70 percent, while that of men is close to 80 percent. Although there has been some progress in recent years, this advancement remains unstable, and several structural barriers continue to hinder women's participation. A large number of women workers are engaged in the agricultural sector, which is mostly informal and often considered unpaid. For a long time, this work was not recognized as economic activity and was merely labeled as household chores. As domestic labor was excluded from economic recognition, it was not properly reflected in national output. However, this picture is gradually changing. Women are now working as agricultural laborers, engaging in soil cutting, working in garments, and participating in other income-generating activities. Even in small towns, new opportunities for women's income have emerged, and many women have advanced in business. Alongside this, the rate of female education has increased significantly. Today, many girls attend school-something that was once unimaginable.
Nevertheless, women constantly face interference in their personal freedom and must struggle against misogynistic social norms to succeed. Significant improvements have also occurred in women's healthcare. In the past, inadequate healthcare systems led to high maternal mortality rates
Girls are now pursuing education from secondary and higher secondary levels to universities, and they are also advancing in technical education. However, women's participation in the industrial and service sectors, particularly in manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare, remains relatively low. These sectors offer better skills, higher wages, and greater opportunities for professional growth. A lack of skills, insufficient training, rigid social structures, absence of gender-sensitive work environments, and weak policy support are major barriers preventing women from entering these fields. A comprehensive plan for women's education and skill development is urgently needed. Women's participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education must be increased. Opportunities for female students in higher education should expand through scholarships, safe housing, security, and technical training. Alongside academic degrees, market-oriented technical and skill-based education must be ensured.
Women's economic empowerment is directly linked not only to women's development but also to national productivity, per capita income, and poverty reduction. Reports by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank consistently show that increased female labor force participation significantly boosts a country's GDP, and Bangladesh is no exception. Enhancing women's participation in the labor market is not a single policy issue; it is a comprehensive transformation involving education, skills, fair wages, workplace safety, and positive social attitudes. While this transformation is underway through the combined efforts of the state, society, and the private sector, it has not yet reached the desired level. Despite progress, discrimination persists. For instance, a male farm laborer may earn 1,000 taka per day, while a woman doing the same work earns only 600 taka. Seasonal wage increases offer temporary relief, but income drops sharply during the off-season, highlighting persistent inequality.
Women's involvement in digital marketing in Bangladesh is expanding rapidly. However, women engaged in this sector are often viewed with skepticism by families and society. Despite these challenges, women entrepreneurs continue to achieve success in digital marketing, as frequently highlighted by the media. The demand for ICT-trained women is growing, and many are earning foreign currency by working online. Platforms like Swabalambi have enabled women to sell products digitally, promoting self-reliance. Nevertheless, women constantly face interference in their personal freedom and must struggle against misogynistic social norms to succeed.
Significant improvements have also occurred in women's healthcare. In the past, inadequate healthcare systems led to high maternal mortality rates. Today, maternal mortality has declined considerably, and women's life expectancy has increased. Previously, women's life expectancy in Bangladesh was lower than men's due to malnutrition, lack of medical care, and early childbearing. This situation has improved, bringing women's life expectancy closer to that of developed countries. Social attitudes toward child marriage have also changed, although it still persists. Many parents justify early marriage as a means of protection, despite growing awareness that such practices are harmful. Attitudes toward girl children have improved as well. In the past, the birth of a girl was often viewed negatively, but today, especially in rural areas, appreciation for girl children has increased, and many negative attitudes have diminished.
Women's insecurity remains a serious concern. Domestic workers, in particular, face severe abuse within employers' homes, often without witnesses or legal protection. In contrast, garment workers, who work collectively, are better able to resist abuse. Women face physical, social, and psychological risks, and while many cases of violence are reported, the actual number is far higher, as many victims are unable or unwilling to approach the police. Even when women seek justice, they often encounter misogynistic attitudes within legal and social systems, especially in rural arbitration practices.
Violence against women largely stems from a failure to recognize women as individuals deserving dignity and respect. Despite their essential role in family and society, women's contributions are often ignored or undervalued. The most important step forward is to create women-friendly families, educational institutions, and workplaces where women can live without fear. Public awareness must be increased through large-scale campaigns highlighting women's contributions at both societal and state levels. Strong social resistance against misogynistic practices and discriminatory systems must be developed to ensure true equality.
The writer is a student, Government City College, Chattogram
