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PC: https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/women-empowerment-1520873377
As one looks back on Bangladesh’s 50th year of independence, a lot are to be celebrated; strong macroeconomic fundamentals, burgeoning industries, strong infrastructure projects, foreign remittance by a large strong non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) work force, growing internal middle-class market; all leading to a GDP which was $8.7bln (Current US$) in 1971 to a whopping at $300bln+ today, most of this coming in the last 3 decades, as the country recovered from the tumultuous 1st two decades. GDP growth rates have accelerated to 7-8% from the 2-4% in the 1st two decades. The Human Development Index has also moved up in an exemplary fashion, many of which better than its South Asian counterparts.
But behind all these numbers what gets unnoticed are some of the more silent yet discerning social shifts that was behind the underlying move in the dramatic transformation of Bangladesh. They are the unsung protagonists whom we tend to forget and acknowledge, the woman and her role in the society. She has from metamorphosed from driving home economics to now be the driving force of the economy.
Let me break this down:
Today the Country is the epitome of women leadership. Very few countries in the world have had such depth of female cerebral power in leadership roles and the progress of the country is evident. Behind these great women are also their forerunners of the likes of Sufia Kamal, Begum Rokeya, Pritlata Wadedar to name a few, who broke the glass ceiling and made the inroads of women leadership. On their shoulders stands this nation today. Ode to all of you for being such an inspiration.
While such inspirations have defined today’s Bangladesh, Corporate Bangladesh falls significantly short on this. While there are some great female leaders, female share in senior and middle management in corporate unfortunately is only at 11.5%, a far cry from what is desired. Much to do for all of us now.
The onus is for us to see how we can change this in the next 50 years, ideally well before that.
Data Source: World Bank