Dual income, shared burden

Dhaka has emerged as one of the South Asia's most expensive cities, posing serious financial challenges for newly married couples. With rising inflation, soaring rents, and modest entry-level salaries, managing household expenses on a single income has become nearly impossible. In this context, women's employment is not just beneficial, it is essential.

According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, urban inflation reached 9.94 per cent in March 2025. The Centre for Policy Dialogue estimates the monthly cost of a modest lifestyle exceeds Tk 47,000 in Dhaka's city centre. Entry-level salaries -- often under Tk 40,000 for first-class government officers -- fall short of covering these basic expenses. A large portion goes to rent, food, transport, and healthcare, leaving little for savings or planning for the future. Many couples are even delaying parenthood due to financial constraints.

When both partners work, the burden becomes more manageable. Dual incomes allow couples to afford better housing, healthier food, and support for elderly parents. It also creates space to plan for children with greater financial and emotional security.

However, enabling women to work requires more than economic necessity. Workplace safety, equal pay, and respect remain pressing concerns. Many women still face insecurity during commutes and discrimination at work. Without addressing these issues, increasing female participation in the workforce will remain an uphill battle.

In today's Dhaka, the economic survival and well-being of newly married couples often depend on the wife's ability to contribute financially. Ensuring women can work safely, fairly, and with dignity is not only a family imperative -- it is a social and economic necessity.

Muhammad Raihan Uddin

raihan.uddin@bigm.edu.bd