Women’s economic empowerment and the upcoming budget of Bangladesh

In the context of women's economic empowerment and Bangladesh's upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, attention should be given to three issues: first, the notion of empowerment; second, the prerequisites and barriers to women's economic empowerment; and third, what can be done in the upcoming budget to advance it.

Let us begin with the concept of empowerment. The first and most fundamental point is that no person can empower another. Individuals empower themselves through their own inner will, strength and a process of self-realisation.

The struggles, resilience and journeys of Bangladeshi women are strong evidence of this dynamism. However, in this process, others can play a positive role by creating an enabling environment through their actions, support and cooperation. In that sense, family, society and the state can act as supportive catalytic forces.

Second, empowerment does not simply mean holding high positions or having representation at upper levels. These are important, no doubt, but the core meaning of empowerment is that a person has the freedom to manage, influence and control what is valuable and important in their life and the world.

Third, empowerment has multiple dimensions — political, economic and cultural. These are interlinked, and their interactions help accelerate the overall empowerment process.

Now the question is: what are the conditions for women's economic empowerment? First, it goes without saying that expanding the scope of women's economic participation is essential. This includes employment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and services, access to and control over assets, and access to information technology.

During the current energy crisis, rising fuel prices and inflation increase household burdens, which women are expected to shoulder. Reports also indicate that due to Middle Eastern crises, Bangladesh's garment exports to 18 countries have been disrupted. Since 80% of garment workers are women, they are likely to bear the brunt of job losses.

In each of these areas, Bangladeshi women face deprivation. According to available data, the current female unemployment rate in Bangladesh is 10%, and among educated women it is 22%. About 300,000 highly educated women are unemployed. Women's employment in the industrial sector is only 3%. Around 81% of employed women are engaged in vulnerable work. Financial inclusion among women stands at only 30%, and only one out of every four women has access to formal financial services. Women's rights to assets remain highly limited in this country.

Second, even when women are employed and earning, they often do not control it. Control typically rests with male family members. This pattern persists across socio-economic groups and undermines women's financial independence and economic empowerment.

Third, women's autonomy in economic decision-making — both inside and outside the home — remains limited. Even in choosing employment, women often need explicit or implicit approval from men. Within households, many economic decisions are made unilaterally by men, without consulting women. This remains a major barrier to women's empowerment.

Fourth, gender inequality in opportunities and outcomes obstructs empowerment. Because of such disparities, women may appear empowered on the surface, but are not truly so.

It is also important to note that differences in empowerment exist among women themselves due to socio-economic divisions — between wealthy and marginalised women, between those in the hills and the plains, and between the educated and the uneducated.

Fifth, ensuring women's safety both at home and outside is a crucial condition for empowerment. This includes personal safety, protection from violence, harassment and insecurity, as well as protection from the negative impacts of climate change. Without ensuring women's economic security, their broader empowerment remains limited.

Given these conditions, it is also necessary to identify the barriers to women's economic empowerment. At the top of these barriers is the patriarchal structure of society and its manifestations. Male dominance and exploitation hinder women's empowerment, as patriarchal values seek to preserve control.

Although the state and political processes have made various commitments regarding women's empowerment, implementation remains weak. Recent parliamentary elections, where parties failed to ensure adequate female representation despite commitments, are a clear example. This gap between promises and action is also evident in economic empowerment.

There is a lack of awareness and sensitivity among policymakers about how economic crises disproportionately affect women. This absence exacerbates women's vulnerability during crises. For instance, during the current energy crisis, rising fuel prices and inflation increase household burdens, which women are expected to shoulder. Reports also indicate that due to Middle Eastern crises, Bangladesh's garment exports to 18 countries have been disrupted. Since 80% of garment workers are women, they are likely to bear the brunt of job losses.

In this context, the key question is: what should the upcoming budget focus on to advance women's economic empowerment? Three points are important.

First, the budget is being prepared amid global and domestic crises, creating multiple pressures — women's interests must not be sacrificed under these conditions. Second, commitment is one thing; priority is another — women's empowerment must be treated as a budgetary priority. Third, the conditions and barriers identified must be addressed through concrete measures in the budget.

The budget should include clear provisions to increase women's employment, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and access to technology, supported by incentive-based policies. For example, specialised loans for small women entrepreneurs and access to production resources.

At the same time, investments in women's education and healthcare — especially reproductive health — must be increased. These funds must be used efficiently and on time. Enhancing women's capabilities is essential for their economic empowerment.

Policies and allocations should also aim to reduce gender disparities in opportunities and outcomes. Tax structures and import duties should be designed to be women-friendly. Special attention should be given to marginalised groups, such as women from tribal and rural communities. The budget should also include provisions for collecting gender-disaggregated data.

Social protection systems can play a significant role in ensuring women's economic security. The recently introduced family card system should be refined and implemented more effectively.

Finally, during budget discussions and beyond, various proposals supporting women will be raised in parliament. It is unrealistic to expect unanimous support, as perspectives on gender equality may differ across political groups.

In such cases, women members of parliament have a special responsibility — to work collectively to ensure that women's interests are protected. Loyalty to party should not override commitment to women's rights.