EPZs fail to attract women entrepreneurs
Friday, 14 August 2009
Munima Sultana
The country's eight export processing zones (EPZs) have enough women labour force, but the authorities there have failed to create entrepreneurs and high level jobs for them.
According to Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), very few women entrepreneurs have been found in the EPZs situated in Dhaka, Chittagong, Mongla, Ishwardi, Comilla, Narayanganj, Nilphamari and Karnaphuli.
From Dhaka EPZ statistics, it showed that 33,414 women work as labourers while only 767 are found working as staffs and 314 officers against their male counterpart of 29,503, 3,348 and 2,872 respectively.
Women researchers and leaders said set rules and regulations of export processing zones, mindset of people involved in it and social and economic causes are hindering the scope for women.
Though a significant portion of EPZ plots remain idle since their establishment during 1984 and 2005, women applicants were not considered favourably, they observed.
Dr Nazneen Ahmed, research fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, said there is even no record or data on women though some measures were taken to improve social management system in EPZs, of which women are beneficiaries.
She said it proved that there was not much analysis on gender aspect.
However, industries minister Dilip Barua recently assured of providing plots for women in the special economic zones and the areas under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation.
The country's eight export processing zones (EPZs) have enough women labour force, but the authorities there have failed to create entrepreneurs and high level jobs for them.
According to Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), very few women entrepreneurs have been found in the EPZs situated in Dhaka, Chittagong, Mongla, Ishwardi, Comilla, Narayanganj, Nilphamari and Karnaphuli.
From Dhaka EPZ statistics, it showed that 33,414 women work as labourers while only 767 are found working as staffs and 314 officers against their male counterpart of 29,503, 3,348 and 2,872 respectively.
Women researchers and leaders said set rules and regulations of export processing zones, mindset of people involved in it and social and economic causes are hindering the scope for women.
Though a significant portion of EPZ plots remain idle since their establishment during 1984 and 2005, women applicants were not considered favourably, they observed.
Dr Nazneen Ahmed, research fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, said there is even no record or data on women though some measures were taken to improve social management system in EPZs, of which women are beneficiaries.
She said it proved that there was not much analysis on gender aspect.
However, industries minister Dilip Barua recently assured of providing plots for women in the special economic zones and the areas under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation.