The Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector is Bangladesh’s largest export earner, employing over 4 million workers, the majority women. While it has opened doors to formal employment, women workers continue to face low wages, unsafe conditions, gender-based violence, limited career prospects, and new risks from climate change and automation. The COVID-19 crisis further exposed these vulnerabilities, leaving many women with economic insecurities, increased unpaid care, and heightened GBV risks.
To address these challenges, CARE Bangladesh is implementing Oporajita – Collective Impact on Future of Work in Bangladesh (Enabling Environment), funded by the H&M Foundation and supported by The Asia Foundation. The Enabling Environment component focused on creating safe, gender-equitable workplaces and households while strengthening women’s agency to address GBV and discrimination through the establishment of women friendly spaces at the community level.
18,000 women garment workers, including out-of-work women, accessed Women Friendly Spaces (WFS) and received services and sessions on GBV, stress management, problem-solving, SRHR, and nutrition.
18,000 of women garment workers including out-of-work reached through climate change impact adaptation protocol
4800 of women who received psychosocial counseling support
240 of out-of-work women received entrepreneurship skills and seed money
7200 of men reached through men’s sessions on Gender, Power and Privilege, and gender discrimination
12 of factories adopted climate change impact adaptation protocol
80 % of women garment workers, including out-of-work women who feel safer and empowered to address GBV issues and climate change impacts
At 50, former garment worker Shanti Rani still fights for justice after her husband abandoned her, remarried, and stopped supporting her. When local mediation failed, her son’s court case secured two years of payment until he withdrew it under pressure. Left alone and jobless in Dhaka, Shanti sought help from the Tongi Women-Friendly Space, where she received counseling and stress management support. Referred to BLAST for legal aid and given cash assistance for travel, she now feels stronger and determined to reclaim her rights. Shanti’s story shows how awareness and support can empower women to seek justice.
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