Bangladesh boasts a remarkable increase in the number of female students from the primary to the higher secondary levels, as evidenced by board exams consistently showcasing girls outperforming boys in academic achievement. This encouraging trend was expected to narrow the gap between male and female participations in the labour market. It's, however, perplexing that even though girls are outshining boys in academic achievements, they are not only lagging behind in job market but also their participation in the labour force is actually declining. The latest Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) labour force survey reveals a disconcerting and disheartening trend. The total female workforce has dropped from 24.86 million in 2022 to 24.51 million in 2023.
Empowerment of women, who make up half the country's population, has long been a focus area of both government and non-government organisations. As a result, women's presence in the job market rose considerably over the post-independence decades. According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Bangladesh with an impressive score of 72.2 per cent stood first in South Asia and 59th globally in terms of gender parity. In recognition of this progress, the UN awarded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina the prestigious 'Planet 50-50 Champion' award.
Against this backdrop, a whopping 0.35 million decline, as shown by the BBS statistics, in the number of women in the country's labour force in just one year is perplexing. This disconcerting trend is a potential setback in the nation's journey towards gender equality. According to the survey the disparity between male and female employment widened, while the overall employed workforce in Bangladesh increased marginally. The number of employed males rose from 45.61 million in 2022 to 46.47 million in 2023, highlighting a disproportionate growth favouring men in the job market. Contrarily, the proportion of female employment decreased from 42.77 per cent in 2022 to 41.56 per cent in 2023, with a particularly sharp decline observed in the last quarter of the year.
Several factors including limited opportunities for women in industrial jobs outside of the ready-made garment (RMG) industry are being attributed to this retrogressive trend. While the RMG sector has traditionally been a significant source of employment for women, the shift towards high-tech production methods has led to a reduction in female jobs within this sector. This over-reliance on a single industry for female employment underscores the need for diversification and expansion of opportunities in other sectors, particularly in industrial domain.
While there's been some progress in female employment in the service sector, concerted efforts are needed to enhance opportunities for women in industrial roles. Policy Research Institute (PRI) Executive Director Dr. Ahsan H Mansur rightly pointed out the importance of bolstering women's participation in industrial jobs to address this imbalance effectively. Strategies aimed at promoting gender-inclusive policies, providing vocational training, and fostering a supportive environment for women in traditionally male-dominated sectors are imperative.
It is crucial for policymakers, employers, and civil society organisations, therefore, to collaborate on initiatives that address the root causes of women's drop-out from the workforce. This includes tackling systemic barriers such as gender bias, sexual harassment, and socio-cultural norms that seek to keep educated women tied to household chores. Additionally, initiatives such as childcare support and breast-feeding corners in the workplace, a hassle-free transport system, and flexible work schedule can help facilitate greater female participation in the labour market. Ensuring equal opportunities for women in the workforce is not only supportive of gender equality, but also essential for sustainable economic development.
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