Few opportunities, many barriers for women in Bangladesh: Rubana Huq

Amidst strides and burgeoning prospects, women continue to grapple with significant challenges in both the job market and entrepreneurial sphere, said Rubana Huq while talking to New Age Business magazine.

Serving as the vice-chancellor of the Asian University for Women—a global institution located in Bangladesh’s port city dedicated especially to empowering disadvantaged young women worldwide—Rubana Huq underscored the persistent hurdles stemming from entrenched social norms and values.

Rubana Huq emphasised the critical barriers hindering women’s advancement, including limited exposure, access to credit, encouragement, mentorship, and prevalent biases favouring men, which impede their progression into leadership roles or entrepreneurship ventures.

As chairperson of Mohammadi Group in Bangladesh and former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Rubana Huq called upon relevant authorities, prominent manufacturers, and entrepreneurs to actively support women’s participation in both job sectors and entrepreneurial endeavours.

Reflecting on the evolving environment, Rubana Huq acknowledged the increasing opportunities emerging for women in the job market and entrepreneurial arena.

However, she also highlighted a distressing reality—employers often exhibit undue curiosity about female applicants’ personal lives, irrespective of their qualifications.

‘It’s not something that society should practice. If you have a female candidate whom you want to recruit, the last thing you should ask her is such questions,’ she said, adding that by posing such inquiries, employers place additional pressure on female candidates.

She stressed the importance of eliminating such intrusive practices to foster a more equitable and inclusive professional environment.

‘This unfairness and injustice persist in society, posing significant challenges for women,’ Rubana continued.

‘While opportunities exist, such as the Bangladesh Bank’s requirement for banks and financial institutions to allocate at least 10 per cent of the credit guarantee scheme to female entrepreneurs, the reality falls short’.

‘In practice, not even two to three per cent of this allocation materialises.’

She highlighted the lack of avenues for women entrepreneurs to export their products despite numerous aspirations, as well as the absence of initiatives providing mentorship to help women advance.

‘In Bangladesh, inherent biases hinder the promotion of women,’ she remarked, ‘though many banks are making efforts to promote women as much as possible.’

Rubana identified access to credit as another major challenge for women in the entrepreneurial sector.

‘Without capital, running a business, particularly in capital-intensive sectors like ready-made garments, becomes nearly impossible for women,’ she explained.

She noted a stark gender disparity in domestic work, with 43 per cent of women working full-time at home compared to less than 1 per cent of men.

‘Women contribute 20 per cent to the economy,’ she suggested, ‘and recognising domestic work in the Gross Domestic Product calculation could bring about significant change.’

Rubana also highlighted women’s dominant role in the rural economy, noting that female participation in the labour market has steadily increased to 42.95 per cent, a substantial rise from the mere 8 per cent recorded in 1980.

Reflecting on her own experience as an entrepreneur, Rubana described it as extremely challenging.

‘In our society, my experience indicates that women are often viewed as men’s shadows. Yet, when you step into the light, you are attacked from all sides,’ she mentioned.

Reflecting on her tenure as the first female president of BGMEA, she recounted a disconcerting incident.

‘After assuming the role, I discovered a religious cap (Tupi) in my drawer. It served as a reminder that despite my position, I was expected to conform to traditional gender roles. This act was incredibly insensitive,’ she recounted.

‘Upon leaving my position, I left a red lipstick in the drawer as my symbolic retaliation.’

To address the challenges faced by aspiring women entrepreneurs, Rubana proposed that authorities facilitate connections between these women and potential buyers, as individual efforts have yet to yield significant results. Additionally, she suggested that major manufacturers leverage their access to larger markets to promote female entrepreneurs.

Rubana advocated for the establishment of a nationwide credit portal to streamline access to loans for women from all walks of life.

‘When women receive financial support, they prioritise their families’ education, health, and overall well-being,’ she emphasised.

‘Supporting women directly contributes to economic growth.’

She highlighted the success of female graduates at AUW who transitioned into entrepreneurship, even those with backgrounds in the ready-made garments sector.

Discussing the relationship between academia and industry, Rubana criticised the memorisation-based education system in Bangladesh.

‘This approach hinders critical thinking and leaves graduates ill-prepared for the workforce,’ she lamented. ‘We struggle to find qualified candidates during job interviews.’

‘It’s challenging to educate a generation lacking intellectual curiosity,’ she concluded.

She believed that it is immensely important to revive the tradition of reading books and foster responsible academia to create a safe space for students to express themselves fearlessly yet responsibly.

‘Fearlessness and a sense of responsibility – these are the two qualities we aim to instill in students, which are crucial for their professional lives,’ she remarked.

Rubana also noted that the current curriculum lacks adequate instruction in life and communication skills.

‘Soft skills are essential and need to be emphasised in our education system because, without them, progress is hindered,’ she emphasised.

Reflecting on her journey, she mentioned that her academic background was in literature, and she initially aspired to become a journalist.

‘However, life took me down a different path, leading me to become a businessperson and now an academic. You never know where life will lead you, but possessing essential soft skills is vital for navigating life’s challenges,’ she said.

Regarding her role, Rubana stated that she serves as the chairperson of Mohammadi Group, a family-owned business, and her experiences span over 30 or 35 years.

As an educator, she highlighted her gratifying experience at AUW, where students hail from 17 different countries. ‘Working in academia has been very rewarding, especially because I have the opportunity to empower women,’ she remarked.

‘It’s true that female entrepreneurship may seem respectable on the surface, but in reality, it’s fraught with challenges,’ she continued.

She noted that AUW students come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and added, ‘Here, we not only focus on academics but also address the challenges of statelessness that some students face.’

‘I’m constantly encountering a diverse range of women who aspire for excellence but lack the means to reach their goals unless we provide them with the necessary background and infrastructure,’ she said.

Regarding facilities for women entrepreneurs, Rubana highlighted that many marginalised women, particularly those in rural areas, may struggle with accessing loan opportunities.

‘It’s our responsibility to ensure that these marginalised women have access to such facilities. Bridging the gap between urban and remote areas in terms of accessing loan facilities is crucial. Why not have all banks log into a central portal to assess these women’s needs?’ she suggested.

Similarly, she noted that such a portal could significantly benefit women in urban areas who typically have higher levels of education.

‘Launching a national credit portal could potentially address most of our challenges,’ she added.

Rubana also advocated for the establishment of a cross-border virtual marketplace, particularly in South Asia where interregional trade has been minimal.

‘Empowering women through a virtual marketplace would transcend borders, facilitating trade in a borderless space. Simplifying payment gateways is essential in this endeavour,’ she explained. ‘Without assistance, many women with vast potential may struggle to navigate complex marketplaces. Therefore, it’s imperative to provide them with the necessary protection and support.’

She also emphasised that the entrepreneurial sector encompasses more than just credit; it also requires access to markets, inspiration, and design direction.

Regarding incentives, Rubana suggested that instead of offering incentives, women entrepreneurs should be provided with loans. ‘In some cases, incentives can breed complacency. It’s more effective to advocate for a conducive business environment for women rather than relying solely on incentives,’ she concluded.

‘The advice I would give any young woman applying anywhere else is, first and foremost: prioritise your communication skills. Be confident, be courageous. You must be savvy enough to outsmart the male gaze,’ she said.

She also encouraged aspiring female candidates to ensure that during interviews, they assert themselves to gain the upper hand.

‘Confidence, courage, and communication are three critical components necessary for success in the job market,’ she said adding, ‘The same principles apply to entrepreneurship.’ ‘It’s about how you develop yourself, how you shape your own personality to navigate challenging situations.’ She said. ‘Women face double jeopardy in many arenas. Therefore, for a woman to excel, it requires significant effort, and I would say these three Cs are absolutely crucial,’ she concluded.