The Role of Women in Building a Smart Bangladesh

Bangladesh has come a long way in its journey of development. From being labeled a “basket case” at independence to becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia, the transformation has been remarkable. But the next big leap—building a Smart Bangladesh by 2041—cannot be achieved without the active participation of women.

Women make up nearly 50% of Bangladesh’s population, yet they remain underrepresented in many sectors, especially in technology and decision-making roles. If Smart Bangladesh aims to be inclusive, innovative, and sustainable, empowering women is not optional—it is essential.

In this blog, we’ll explore the critical role of women in building Smart Bangladesh, the challenges they face, and what steps can accelerate women’s empowerment in the digital era.

1. What is Smart Bangladesh?

Smart Bangladesh is a vision set by the government to transform the country into a knowledge-based, technology-driven economy by 2041. Its pillars include:

Smart Citizens – digitally literate, innovative, and future-ready.
Smart Government – efficient, transparent, and tech-enabled.
Smart Economy – driven by technology, startups, and innovation.
Smart Society – inclusive, sustainable, and globally competitive.

Women’s participation is needed in all four pillars to make Smart Bangladesh a reality.

2. Why Women are Central to Smart Bangladesh

Women’s empowerment goes beyond social justice—it directly drives economic and technological progress.

✅ Workforce Expansion: If women participate equally, Bangladesh’s GDP could grow by an additional 30% by 2030 (World Bank).
✅ Innovation Boost: Diversity fosters creativity. Women bring unique perspectives to problem-solving.
✅ Social Development: Educated, empowered women uplift families and communities.
✅ Digital Inclusion: Women adopting digital tools accelerate e-commerce, freelancing, and financial inclusion.

Simply put: Smart Bangladesh will not be possible without smart women.

3. Women in Bangladesh’s Current Workforce

Around 36% of women are currently part of the labor force (BBS, 2023).
Women dominate the garment industry, contributing over 80% of the RMG workforce.
Female participation in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, math) remains low.
In freelancing, only 1 in 10 freelancers from Bangladesh are women.
Women entrepreneurs are growing, but access to finance and training remains limited.

This shows progress, but much more needs to be done to increase women’s representation in digital and knowledge-driven sectors.

4. Women and Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the foundation of Smart Bangladesh, yet women lag behind men in access and skills:

Many women, especially in rural areas, lack internet access and devices.
Digital skill training programs often see low female participation.
Cultural and social barriers restrict women from pursuing tech-related careers.

Bridging this gender gap in digital literacy is essential for inclusive progress.

5. Opportunities for Women in Smart Bangladesh

If empowered with the right tools and policies, women can lead in multiple sectors:

a. Freelancing & Remote Work

Bangladesh is the second-largest freelancing nation. With digital skills, women can work from home, balancing family and career.

b. Women Entrepreneurs in E-Commerce

Platforms like Daraz, AjkerDeal, and Facebook Shops empower women to run online businesses.

c. Women in Tech & Startups

More women can become coders, app developers, data scientists, and founders.

Startups led by women can tackle social issues like healthcare, education, and environment.

d. Women in Governance & Leadership

Digital governance initiatives need female leaders for inclusive decision-making.

e. Women in STEM Education

Encouraging girls to pursue science and technology ensures a future-ready workforce.

6. Challenges Women Face in Achieving Digital Empowerment

Despite opportunities, women face multiple barriers:

❌ Social Barriers: Traditional gender roles discourage women from pursuing careers.
❌ Digital Divide: Rural women have less access to the internet, devices, and training.
❌ Financial Constraints: Limited access to credit and investment for women entrepreneurs.
❌ Workplace Inequality: Fewer women in leadership, lower wages, and limited career growth.
❌ Cyber Harassment: Many women face online harassment, limiting digital participation.

These issues must be solved to ensure equal opportunities for women.

7. Government Initiatives Supporting Women Empowerment

The government has taken important steps:

Digital Literacy Programs targeting women and rural communities.
Women Empowerment Funds for small entrepreneurs.
ICT Training for Women Entrepreneurs under Digital Bangladesh.
Safe Online Campaigns to tackle cyber harassment.
She Power Project – supporting women freelancers and IT workers.

These initiatives are promising but need greater scale and inclusivity.

8. Role of NGOs and Private Sector

NGOs and private organizations are helping fill the gap:

BRAC and Grameen provide women with microfinance and digital literacy training.
Tech firms run coding bootcamps and mentorship programs for women.
Mobile operators offer affordable internet packages to women.

Collaboration between government, NGOs, and private companies can accelerate impact.

9. The Roadmap for Women in Smart Bangladesh

For women to play a transformative role, Bangladesh must:

✅ Expand Digital Literacy: Train women in coding, freelancing, and digital marketing.
✅ Support Female Entrepreneurs: Provide funding, mentorship, and e-commerce access.
✅ Encourage STEM Education: Scholarships and incentives for girls in science and tech.
✅ Create Safe Online Spaces: Strict policies against cyber harassment.
✅ Promote Female Leadership: Ensure women in decision-making roles across industries.

By empowering women, Bangladesh ensures that Smart Bangladesh is smart for all.

Women are not just participants in building Smart Bangladesh—they are drivers of change. With equal opportunities in digital literacy, entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation, women can transform the nation into a truly inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready economy.

As Bangladesh moves toward 2041, one thing is certain: Smart Bangladesh will only be possible when women are empowered to be leaders, innovators, and change-makers.

You may read: Freelancing in Bangladesh: Opportunities and Challenges for Youth

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