An analysis of the nexus between female labour force participation and women’s empowerment in Bangladesh

Abstract

This paper explores the links between Bangladesh’s economic growth in recent years and the contribution of women to that development by highlighting the ways in which this growth has not always been conducive to women’s own empowerment and establishment of rights and agency. It argues that while female labour force participation is growing, the scope that women have for working in Bangladesh has not qualitatively improved in a manner for work itself to be deemed as an empowering activity. The paper addresses the pressing need for formalising informal sectors and holding formal sectors accountable for their labour violations, especially when it comes to women, and highlights some of the harrowing experiences women have faced in the ready-made garments (RMG) sector.