Page 46 - IBT Sept 2021 (1)

Economic Development FROM PERILS
TO POWER

leading to adaptation and regeneration of social the pandemic on the young and women. Thereby emphasizing in the behaviour and practices of those in institutions. We recommend arranging necessary training
relations critical for social cohesion. These on access to stimulus packages, developing databases, social authority as well as society at large. facilities for women entrepreneurs. Bangladesh Bank has
developments indicate the need for embracing a protection, and social security, developing a national policy for allocated 15 percent of total refinancing scheme for women
multi-sectorial and interdisciplinary view on the informal sector, effective implementation of National SME A report by WEF suggests that workplace entrepreneurs.
structural transformation in Bangladesh for just Policy 2019 etc. equality will be reached in 267 years – what
and green transition. On the grassroots level, ActionAid Bangladesh is providing kind of policy support, infrastructural Can you briefly touch upon the innovations Bangladesh
support, and knowledge sharing is required
seed funds to young women to develop small scale for a faster acquisition of women among has come up with to combat the climate crisis over the
Only about 36 percent of Bangladesh's entrepreneurship. We are also providing training to young professional and technical workers? years?
women participate in the Labour market. people, including young women, on entrepreneurship skills Bangladesh has come up with agro economic interventions to
The Covid-19 pandemic is exacerbating development and accounting. In AAB working areas we are Women and the young face various kinds of combat the effect of the climate crisis. Supporting circular
these challenges and a UN survey harassment and impediments in the workplace, economic intervention has also been a great initiative. Youth
highlights that, in Bangladesh, about 25 facilitating Women Led Communication Matrix (WLCM) to therefore, the government should ratify the ILO C led mitigation and adaptation process, i.e., tree plantation,
percent of female respondents reported collect grassroots level data and responding to GBV cases 190 to address workplace violence and community mobilization for protection of embankment,
losing informal jobs, while another 24 through developing community led mechanisms during harassment. The Department of Inspection for
percent saw decreased working hours. COVID-19. SVAW networks in coordination with other networks Factories and Establishments (DIFE) should supporting the climate resilient sustainable agriculture, etc.
How are these challenges being mitigated? have implemented remote case management mechanisms to strengthen their inspection mechanism to are also some of the notable initiatives against climate
According to the Labour Force Survey 2016-17, combat violence during COVID-19. monitor the workplace environment. disaster. However the challenge lies with the private sector
91.8 percent women are working in the informal Moreover, AAB has taken many more initiatives during the especially in the areas of infrastructure development and
sector whereas only 14.9 percent working in the pandemic, such as raising awareness on COVID-19 for 150,000 The SME sector is largely propelled by energy projects that are being rolled out.
formal sector. Workers in the informal sector are people in all its working areas. AAB has also provided food women and youth entrepreneurs however Women leadership in emergencies is visible, women are
the most affected in the context of the COVID-19 and MPCG (Multi-Purpose Cash Grants) support to 8,254 the pandemic has seen the sector slip. leading on multiple fronts. We find that women are taking on
Pandemic. In 2020, ActionAid Bangladesh families. They also supplied PPE and Hygiene material to What are the setbacks holding the SME challenges and taking on new occupations. They are trying to
conducted research which has shown that 42 service providers and volunteers, and donated Hygiene Kit to sector back? What measures are required be innovative. Women leadership in all aspects of our lives
percent of small enterprises lost 75 percent of 2,938 families. for banks and the government to realize have grown in the last 50 years and organizations like ours
the potential of this sector?
their income. A joint survey conducted by the AAB as part of its National level advocacy engaged frontline According to a study by Centre for Policy Dialogue find it so true on the grassroots level because we work with
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and Mapped in partner NGOs on different issues for instance to address the (CPD), though the government allocated funds for communities in the far flung
Bangladesh (MiB) showed that around 3.5 lakh increasing cases of GBV, UCW and livelihood related matters. women entrepreneurs under the stimulus areas in the country. Having
garment workers in Bangladesh lost their jobs AAB conducted several studies in 2020 with the intent of packages designed for CMSMEs, 58 percent of said that we continue to
due to the pandemic. Women, particularly young taking up evidence-based advocacy in regards to the impact of them have not heard about it, and 93 percent struggle with the mindset of
women workers, therefore should be reached by COVID-19, unemployment and economic insecurity on young women led enterprises have not applied for any the political actors, the
the government stimulus package and social people in Bangladesh: A Spotlight on Young Women and Rapid practitioners and society
With 14 years serving as the Country Director for protection (social security) mechanism to enable loan under the government support scheme. A itself.
ActionAid, can you give us a broad overview on how them to bounce back to a better life. Analysis of Care Work during COVID-19 Pandemic in separate stimulus package should be On one hand we have so
woman empowerment has taken shape in the country Bangladesh was another study of AAB. implemented for the woman entrepreneurs. The much progress to showcase
over the 50 years? Alongside, a comprehensive database is required study further recommended extending the loan yet on the other hand we
Bangladesh's development story over the past fifty years is full to develop CMSMEs and their workers to bring Despite being the top in South Asia, Bangladesh has repayment deadline to three years for SMEs to have the patriarchal mindset
of development surprises and extraordinary resilience of the them within the coverage of the stimulus slipped 15 notches to the rank 65th among 156 fight the fall out of the COVID-19. According to coupled with the global rise
countries on the WEF Global Gender Gap Report 2021
people in the face of frequent natural disasters and manmade package and social protection mechanism resulting exclusively to a step backwards in closing the same study 94 percent of the beneficiaries of of rightist forces that nurture
calamities. The country's economic transformation has largely offered by GoB. This will create a support economic participation and opportunity gender gaps. loans under the stimulus package provided by the the concept of power and
been driven by social changes, initiated by women mechanism plus initiatives for the future. How can the government ensure better economic government were male and 6.0 percent were outright obstruction of
empowerment, and providing a rare example of a development Incubation centers need to be developed for the participation and opportunity? female. women rights refusing to
model under which social progress has far outstripped women entrepreneurs and youth entrepreneurs The government has enacted numerous policies over the past The government should reach out to the recognise women and girls as humans thereby refusing to
economic growth. In the process, the role of the state has been particularly at the district level where they can decades in Bangladesh keeping women’s rights in focus. The unbanked women and young entrepreneurs who acknowledge their contributions, competencies, and abilities.
critical in pursuing sound macroeconomic policies, disaster support through financing and marketing. The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs advocated for an are currently facing difficulties as they do not We see the need for system change whereby institutions will
management, and investments in public health during the government should develop a policy for CMSMEs increase of the allowances for widows, and to ease the burden meet the criteria as per the existing guidelines for be required to change. Institutions are so embedded in gender
pandemic. Investment in the education sector beyond to provide them support for enhancing decent on lactating mothers in urban areas and to provide an stimulus package distribution. An ecosystem discrimination practices that they find it difficult to rise above
enrollment remains a concern. There is a level of partnerships employment for women and young people. allowance. Skills development and job training in fields such should be developed for young and women that. 50 years of independence is being celebrated yet women
with NGOs and civil society, mainly regarding social policy Re-skilling and upskilling initiatives should be as agriculture and electronics have also been implemented. entrepreneurs to support them in question whether they are independent and equal citizens of
agenda. taken for the women and young workers The National Women Development Policy of 2011 aimed to entrepreneurship development covering all this country?
With Bangladesh's vision of becoming an upper middle-income engaged in the informal sector. establish equal rights for men and women and included aspects and dimensions for effective I celebrate the strides we have made to get where we are
country by 2031 and a high-income country by 2041, the key Can you briefly tell us about the initiatives specific goals such as assistance for female entrepreneurs. To contribution. Engage the various trade bodies at today. I celebrate this for women who came before us and for
to success will be to integrate three development dimensions undertaken by ActionAid to ensure the oversee the implementation of the development policy, the all levels to disburse stimulus packages to the the young women today who are showing their strength and
covering desirable structural changes with an emphasis on adverse effects of the pandemic on women government formed a 50-member National Women and Child young and women entrepreneurs. Banks and leadership. I believe there’s no stopping us.
risk assessment taking into consideration the planetary crisis, are being addressed? Development Council chaired by the Prime Minister Sheikh financial institutions need to be advised to form It’s the young people, their leadership and their vision of the
growth to reduce income and productivity gaps (convergence), ActionAid Bangladesh is advocating with the Hasina. The Prime Minister supported women’s empowerment Women Entrepreneurs Development Unit and country and the world that excites me leaving me with hope. I
and enhanced equality. For Bangladesh, interactions between private sector and various government in global forums such as the UN. The problem we have Dedicated Desk in the regional offices including want to see more women leading with a feminist lens in
structural transformation and social development are critical stakeholders, including the various Ministries identified is lack of effective implementation of policies and the head office of banks and financial climate justice, equity, rights, and dignity.
since technology has radical impacts on social interactions, and Bangladesh Bank, to address the effects of accountability across the board instead of discrimination found

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