Voices to choices: Bangladesh's journey in women's economic empowerment

This book analyzes advances in women's economic engagement and empowerment in rural and urban Bangladesh, concluding that while female labor force participation has risen, women's economic choices and control remain limited. Stakeholders must address societal and market barriers to developing accurate gender-disaggregated data and implementing recommendations to grow the Bangladeshi economy and maintain progress in poverty reduction and inclusive development.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 281 pages
\n Publication date: 30 April 2019
\n Publisher: World Bank Publications
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This comprehensive book delves into the advancements in women's economic engagement and empowerment in rural and urban Bangladesh. While it acknowledges notable improvements, it highlights that women's economic choices and control remain limited. Between 2003 and 2016, female labor force participation witnessed a significant increase of 10 percentage points, and the gender wage gap narrowed. Additionally, societal attitudes towards women's land ownership are evolving, and efforts to promote women's financial inclusion and entrepreneurship are gaining momentum. However, it is disheartening to note that women's labor force participation remains significantly lower than that of men, with women confined to a narrower range of occupations, primarily in the informal sector, and facing lower chances of land ownership compared to men. The financial gender gap persists, with women facing substantial barriers to accessing financial services and resources. Women from ethnic and religious minorities face double discrimination on these fronts, exacerbating their challenges.

To address these barriers and foster inclusive economic growth, stakeholders must take concerted action. This includes addressing foundational societal and market barriers such as sexual and other forms of harassment, mobility constraints, high transactional costs, and lack of formal childcare. Developing accurate gender-disaggregated data to track progress is crucial in measuring the effectiveness of interventions.

Despite achieving the Millennium Development Goal Target 1 to halve poverty between 1990 and 2015, Bangladesh remains one of the world's poorer countries. Enhancing women's economic engagement and empowerment is a vital next step in growing the Bangladeshi economy and sustaining progress in poverty reduction and inclusive development. This book offers valuable recommendations and practical insights on how to achieve this goal.

In conclusion, this book serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to promote women's economic empowerment in Bangladesh. By addressing the challenges outlined above, the country can unlock the full potential of its female workforce and achieve a more equitable and prosperous future.

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Dimension: 280 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781464813740\n \n