According to a recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), Bangladesh has witnessed a significant increase in the participation rate of women in the labour market during the Covid-19 period, rising from 29.2 per cent to 42.8 per cent.
This encouraging data was featured in the ‘World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2024,’ published by the ILO on 10th January 2024.
The report notes that while the participation rates of various demographic groups may not fully return to pre-epidemic levels, women’s participation is on the rise. However, persistent gender gaps, particularly in emerging and developing countries, pose challenges to achieving long-term employment goals.
Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Bangladesh Country Director, emphasised that boosting women’s participation requires addressing issues like reducing child marriage and enhancing access to education and technical training for women and girls.
He highlighted that Bangladesh’s economic growth has generated new job opportunities for women, emphasising the need to focus on skill development for women, youth, and people with disabilities to ensure their equal participation in the labour market.
The report acknowledges the lingering impact of the pandemic on the labour market, with global youth unemployment rates remaining a concern. Challenges persist for those not in employment or employment training, particularly among young women.
Despite these challenges, Bangladesh has experienced a notable increase in women’s labour force participation, showcasing a positive trend in the later stages of the epidemic. The comprehensive assessment in this year’s report covers various labour market aspects, such as unemployment, job creation, labor force participation, and hours worked.
