Gender Equality and Women Empowerment in Bangladesh's Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Sector Challenges and Opportunities
Akter, Sharmin; Afroze, Sharmin (2025)
Akter, Sharmin
Afroze, Sharmin
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052315274
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052315274
Tiivistelmä
This study discusses gender equality and empowerment of women in the Bangladesh RMG industry, which is a major employer of many women. Even though women’s economic value is crucial in the RMG sector, gender inequality is still present, mainly on the basis of the lack of opportunities for career development/career advancement and leadership. The investigation addresses the issue of understanding the drivers of women’s economic empowerment and the identification of the most significant obstacles that block their access to leadership.” Data were collected through using a mixed-methods approach including quantitative surveys with 150 female employees and qualitative interviews in a range of RMG factories in Dhaka.
Aware of these concerns, the investigation explores the problems, for instance, pay inequality, vulnerability in the work environment, gender stereotypes, parental commitments, and insufficient learning and skill development opportunities. The research reveals that despite the role that the Ready-made Garments (RMG) sector has played in empowering women economically, there remains a stubborn structural and cultural impediment on women’s upward mobility in occupied positions.
The analysis highlights possibilities for erasing gender gaps by creating leadership programme, mentorship, and flexible work schemes. In conclusion, the study offers practical recommendations addressed to RMG establishments of inclusive workplaces, and with an emphasis on increasing women’s representation in leadership.
These findings can prove especially useful for policymakers, business men/women, and NGOs who wish to focus upon gender equality and the empowerment of women in the workplace in turn strengthening social and economic development in Bangladesh.
Aware of these concerns, the investigation explores the problems, for instance, pay inequality, vulnerability in the work environment, gender stereotypes, parental commitments, and insufficient learning and skill development opportunities. The research reveals that despite the role that the Ready-made Garments (RMG) sector has played in empowering women economically, there remains a stubborn structural and cultural impediment on women’s upward mobility in occupied positions.
The analysis highlights possibilities for erasing gender gaps by creating leadership programme, mentorship, and flexible work schemes. In conclusion, the study offers practical recommendations addressed to RMG establishments of inclusive workplaces, and with an emphasis on increasing women’s representation in leadership.
These findings can prove especially useful for policymakers, business men/women, and NGOs who wish to focus upon gender equality and the empowerment of women in the workplace in turn strengthening social and economic development in Bangladesh.