The Unassuming Economist

From Business Standard:

“Flip through any magazine or coverage of Bangladesh’s RMG sector, and you’ll inevitably spot a smiling woman—representing the heart and soul of the industry. Yet, the lived experiences of these women tell a different story—one where their representation on factory floors and in leadership roles is steadily shrinking.

The ready-made garments (RMG) sector has been the driving force behind Bangladesh’s economic rise, propelling the country to become the world’s second-largest garment exporter. Women have been at the heart of this success, making up 80% of the workforce in the 1980s. Fast forward to today, and that figure has dropped to just 53.65% (Jenns, 2023). The situation is even more concerning in leadership, with only 9% of managerial roles held by women between 2010 and 2018 (Uddin, 2021).

This raises a crucial question: Why, after contributing so much to the sector’s growth, are women still not moving up the ladder? Societal norms, family expectations, and organizational barriers have created a glass ceiling, preventing women from reaching their full potential. To truly unlock the sector’s power, we need to break down these barriers and open the door for women to step into leadership roles.”

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