Bangladesh is a small developing country. Nearly 150 million people live in this country. Of the total population, 50% are women. After the liberation of Bangladesh, a great change has come to our country. The rate of illiteracy is being reduced. Government has undertaken various projects to eradicate illiteracy. Free and compulsory primary education has been introduced. Better facilities for the girl-students have been provided so that they can receive education free of cost upto higher secondary level. Moreover, they are provided with stipend upto that level. As a result, the rate of literacy among the women has been significantly increased. Women have started joining work force, contributing to family income and thus started exercising influence on family affairs. Though women have always worked the house hold work, this is not commonly counted as 'work'.
The presence of working women outside the home indicates a conspicuous change in our society. Whether it is due to economic necessity or the urge to establish an individual identity or both, a large number of women are entering the outside workforce and they are joining a wide range of progressions. Women are now becoming octors, nurses, teachers, military officers, police, administrators, executives and thus they entering of jobs. It is not only educated women who are opting to work but women with a little or no education have come out of their home to earn and become self-reliant.
Now 1,8500,000 women in rural areas and 2,800,000 women in the urban areas are engaged in income generating activities, supporting themselves and their families. women's role in agriculture can not be underestimated. Women in rural areas are directly engaged in various activities during harvesting period.
A large number of women are engaged in cottage industries in rural areas. Their handicrafts are in great demand at home and abroad. We are earning a lot of foreign exchange by exporting these products.
The women in Bangladesh are playing a vital role in textile, knitting and readymade garments sector. About 85% of the total working force in the garments sector are women. They have proved their skill and efficiency very effectively in this sector. We know that readymade garments is the largest sector of earning foreign exchange in our country and this sector is mostly dependent on our women workers.
In processing food crops and food staffs, women are playing an important role. Similarly, our women are playing significant role in construction sectors like construction of high-rise buildings, shopping malls, etc. Many women are working as nurses and doctors overseas and thus they are sending a substantial amount of remittance to our country.
Many women enterpreneures have come forward to invest money in industrial sector and thus helping us to increase our foreign exchange.
A significant number of women are engaged in planning and policy making for the over all development of our country. Our government is now taking various steps to ensure the participation of women in our development efforts.
To conclude, role of women in our economy should be acknowledged. Participation of women in all the sectors like politics, society, business agriculture and family is really commendable.
