In Bangladesh, the number of working women is gradually increasing. According to the preliminary report of the Labor Force Survey 2022 of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the countrys female labor force participation rate was 42.68%, slightly higher than 36.3% in 2016. Although, according to this data, more than 50% of women are still not included in the countrys workforce. Yet, the growing number is promising.
There was a period when certain occupations were thought to be limited for women, but people have moved on from that outdated way of thinking.
We know that the number of women among all garment workers in the country is high. Apart from the garment industry, women are now present in various demanding industries such as hotels, restaurants, communications, real estate services, telecommunications, banking, insurance, administration and journalism. In addition, women working abroad have a significant economic impact on the country.Womens contributions to the countrys economy are increasing, but they also face more challenges in their daily lives. Physical and mental health of working women is severely affected due to various reasons.
Charity begins at home. As per this saying, hurdles to working women also begin with their families. Women carry around significant responsibilities such as motherhood and all household chores, so they rarely have sufficient time for family or job.In many circumstances, family members refuse to collaborate and unwilling to accept that the mother will spend more time at work, keeping her child at home. Workplaces also do not help women in maintaining both responsibilities, thus women are forced to choose between the two.
Women encounter a wide variety of issues in work, ranging from gender discrimination to a lack of certain basic facilities. They are frequently vulnerable to physical and emotional harassment by co-workers in lots ofworkplaces.In 2020, a survey of the National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, Plan International Bangladesh, and Girls Advocacy Alliances experience exchange meeting revealed that 100% of the 135 women who participated in the survey said they had been sexually harassed in some way at their workplace.Often they are subjected to a variety of humiliating scenarios, includingeve teasing, lewdness, vulgar gestures, awful proposals, and filthy phrases.According to a survey, 32% of these assaulted women do not know where to complain.
In this circumstance, the women have no choice except to endure silently. Even after accepting so many things, women are often discriminated against in terms of promotion, salary and increment in the workplace. According to a recent International Labour Organisation (ILO) research report, despite having educational qualifications, women get paid less in 98 percent of cases because of gender inequality. While experiencing these situations, their mental health suffers immensely.
The education rate of women in the country is increasing day by day; if all women can be included in the workforce, incredible improvements in the countrys economy can be achievable. Even the social environment will see a favourable transformation.The government, society, and families all have certain common roles in encouraging and sustaining women in the labour force.A woman is not only a worker, but also has to play the role of wife and mother. Therefore, there should be some special facilities for women in the workplace.
Working women should have access to benefits such as sufficient maternity leave, flexible work hours, on-site childcare, and childcare subsidies in order to balance their careers and family commitments. Equal pay for equal labour, as well as opportunities for progress and promotion, are crucial for fostering a fair and inclusive workplace. Womens health and well-being can be improved by providing flexible work schedules, remote work opportunities, and wellness programmes. Offices and public places should have clean restrooms, sanitary supplies, and facilities that are accessible to women with disabilities. Implementing gender-specific rules and cultivating a workplace culture that supports inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality are critical to the well-being of working women.
These facilities should be prioritised by organisations in order to empower and support women in the workplace.Although the government has taken some important moves, these have yet to be implemented.
For example, the government requires all institutions to create a "anti-harassment committee" in 2009."But nearly all of government and private institutions have a lack ofit.This protocol should be enforced as soon as feasible.
It is essential to confirm that the workplace is not hazardous to women. A woman is essential not just to the national economy, but also to future generations. So ensure her physical and mental health everywhere.
The writer is from Institution of Education and Research, University of Rajshahi
