International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. Each year for International Women’s Day, the United Nations selects a theme. This year is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”
Textile Focus: More than 80% of women are working for the Bangladesh textile & apparel industry but at the top/decision-making level the presence of women is still very less. How did you evaluate this how more women can come upon such top/decision-making positions in the T&A sector?
Tasfia Jashim, Director, Bengal Group of Industries
The underrepresentation of women in top decision-making positions in the Bangladesh textile and apparel industry is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. Here are some potential strategies that could help increase the presence of women in leadership roles:
Encourage women to pursue higher education: Providing opportunities for women to attain higher education and gain specialized skills can help them qualify for top-level positions in the industry. Companies can offer scholarships or mentorship programs to support women in their pursuit of education and career advancement.
Create a supportive work environment: A supportive work environment that values diversity and inclusivity can attract and retain talented women. Companies can provide training and development opportunities, flexible work arrangements, and family-friendly policies that accommodate the needs of women.
Foster women’s leadership skills: Companies can provide training and development programs that focus on building leadership skills, such as communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and conflict resolution. This can help women develop the skills and confidence necessary to advance to top-level positions.
Address cultural biases: There may be cultural biases that discourage women from pursuing leadership roles. Companies can work to address these biases by promoting gender equality, providing gender-sensitive training, and creating a culture that values and respects women’s contributions.
Increase women’s visibility: Highlighting the accomplishments of women leaders in the industry can serve as inspiration for other women and help change perceptions of women’s leadership potential. Companies can feature women leaders in their marketing materials, social media, and industry events to increase their visibility.
By implementing these strategies, the Bangladesh textile and apparel industry can work to increase the representation of women in top decision-making positions. This can lead to a more diverse and inclusive industry that is better equipped to address the challenges of the future.
