Bangladesh's Female Workforce Saw Increase Post-COVID: ILO

In a groundbreaking revelation, the International Labour Organization (ILO) revealed in its 'World Employment and Social Outlook Trends 2024' report, published on January 10, 2024, that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Bangladesh saw a remarkable increase in women's labour market participation. The participation percentage has risen from 29.2% to an outstanding 42.8%, indicating a major shift toward gender equality in the workplace.

While the research notes that participation rates for certain demographic groups may not entirely return to pre-pandemic levels, it highlights women's notable upward trajectory. Despite this progress, the research notes significant gender discrepancies, particularly in emerging and developing nations, which pose barriers to attaining long-term employment fairness.

Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO Bangladesh Country Director, emphasized the importance of tackling issues such as eliminating child marriage and improving access to education and technical training for women and girls. He underlined that Bangladesh's economic progress has created new work possibilities for women, highlighting the importance of concentrating on skill development for women, youth, and persons with disabilities to promote fair participation.

Despite worldwide worries about young unemployment rates following the epidemic, Bangladesh stands out for its excellent growth in female labour force participation. The report's thorough examination includes key labour market characteristics such as unemployment, job creation, labour force participation, and hours worked, providing insights into the changing dynamics of Bangladesh's post-pandemic workforce.