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Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector has long been a key driver of women’s employment — but recent trends reveal a troubling shift. Despite growth in exports and overall employment, women are increasingly being pushed out of urban manufacturing jobs, particularly in the garment sector. Factors such as automation, changing industry demands, and limited access to diverse skills are reshaping who benefits from this growth. This op-ed explores the drivers behind this shift and reflects on its broader implications for inclusive growth and the future of work.

The article was written by researchers from the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) as part of the project, “Gender Implications of the Future of Work in South Asia: Insights from Garment Manufacturing in Bangladesh and India,” supported under the FutureWORKS Asia initiative — part of the FutureWORKS Collective, a global effort supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Read the full article, published in the Daily Star on 3 October 2025.