Equal Work, Equal Pay: Time for Structural Reforms

True national development rests on the equal participation of both women and men. No country can claim to be fully developed while leaving half of its population behind. Eliminating gender discrimination therefore demands not only social awareness but also stronger laws and meaningful reforms in the workplace.

Although the Constitution and other laws guarantee equal rights, women continue to face persistent discrimination, particularly in job sector. Many are paid less than men for the same work, despite labour laws mandating equal pay regardless of gender. Yet there is no effective legal remedy or meaningful penalty for employers who violate this principle. Either new legislation must be enacted or existing laws need to be enforced far more rigorously.

The wage gap persists across agriculture, day labour and formal employment. The economic value of women's unpaid domestic work also remains largely unrecognised. Even in large factories, corporate offices and public institutions, women remain underrepresented in senior positions despite their qualifications and competence. Such inequality is not merely a social injustice; it is a barrier to the country's socio-economic progress.

Women also face unsafe and unsupportive working environments. Many endure harassment at work and are forced to leave their jobs after marriage or motherhood. Most workplaces still lack daycare centres and breastfeeding facilities, while paid six-month maternity leave is often ignored. Paternity leave is equally important for newborn care and for supporting working mothers. Quality childcare centres, breastfeeding and baby-care facilities, together with paid paternity leave, should therefore be mandatory in all public and private workplaces.

Women entrepreneurs, particularly in small and cottage industries, need easier access to bank credit, while gender-responsive budgeting must be strictly implemented across all government, semi-government and statutory bodies.

Equal access to employment and equal pay are not acts of charity but fundamental human rights. The day every woman receives the true value of her labour will be the day Bangladesh moves closer to genuine prosperity and inclusive development.