Women in labour market: More hands fewer hats

Women's participation in the Bangladesh labour market is no longer negligible. From the floors of the factories to the corporate boardrooms, women are leaving a mark of their distinct potential. On the surface, this may indicate potential progress, but a closer look reveals a harsh reality, although more women are available for work, very few of them hold positions of authority.

Recent labour force data portray a gradual increase in the female-to-male ratio in employment over the past few years. An upward trend has also been observed in female labour force participation.

This shift shows slow but potential progress. Nowadays women are stepping beyond the chains of patriarchy and getting involved with paid work in greater numbers.

But there arises a question: does participation alone equate empowerment? BSS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics) data reveal a significant imbalance in decision-making roles. Fewer than 10 per cent of employed women get the chance to hold top-tier positions like chief executive and senior management roles. Thus, it is crystal clear that despite consistently contributing their physical and mental labour, women are largely excluded from authority.

The inequality even spreads beyond leadership opportunities to earnings. Shockingly, in all economic sectors consisting of agriculture, industry, and services, women earn less than men. Even within the same sector, the wage gap prevails. This disparity is not only a result of market anomaly, but also it reflects deep-rooted social norms and patriarchal discriminatory hiring practices and unequal valuation of women's work.

"Glass ceiling" has become a buzzword and the main obstacle to prevent women from achieving the top positions that they deserve. Though women showcase their dedication and potential, they don't get promoted to decision-making posts for illogical reasons or perhaps an invisible systemic barrier. They know they have the gut to lead the company, but like a glass door, they can't penetrate through it. This invisible barrier ensures male-dominated leadership and reinforces inequality across generations.

Women in Bangladesh have shown that they are capable and willing to work. What is needed is the sharing of power. True development does not involve more hands being put to work but the sharing of power. Until then, the statistics on the growing participation of women in the workplace can continue, but the concept of equality will remain confined to statistics only.

Tausif Fuad

Student

Department of Economics

University of Dhaka

tausiffuad20@gmail.com