The lives of women in Bangladesh are undergoing an unprecedented change today. Once upon a time, the identity of a woman in rural Bangladesh was centered around home-based cooking, child-rearing, and field work, as if she were solely responsible for maintaining the family. However, most of that labor was unpaid, and women’s names were not even on the list of recognition. Their world was limited to what society and family allowed them to do. But the wave of change that has swept through the lives of rural women in Bangladesh in the last two to three decades is not only economic; it is also a transformation in social attitudes. Microcredit projects, sewing training, poultry or dairy farms, small businesses in local markets, these initiatives have reawakened the self-esteem and confidence of rural women. By fighting poverty and breaking through the walls of social conservatism, they are gradually proving that women are not just people who manage the house; they can earn money, make decisions, and change the future of their families.
However, the journey of rural women is not easy at all. Many families still oppose women working outside the home. Social attitudes limit their independent movement, and many opportunities are missed due to lack of education or digital skills. Yet, when a rural woman earns her first income, that moment is not only the beginning of a change in her life, but also acts like a silent revolution in her family. With her own income, she starts participating in family decisions, pays more attention to her children’s education, becomes less dependent on her husband, and gradually changes her social status. This transformation forms the basis for rural women’s self-reliance.
On the other hand, the lives of women in the city tell a different story. Educational opportunities, expansion of workplaces, use of technology and legal protection have made the path of urban women to become self-reliant relatively easy. The garment industry in particular has opened up a huge field of jobs for women, where lakhs of women have got the opportunity to earn their own income for the first time. Today, active participation of women can be seen in banks, corporate offices, hospitals, educational institutions, media, and even in the technology and startup sectors. Women in the city are also earning money from home through online entrepreneurial activities such as cake bakery, clothing business, home delivery service, beauty care. This freedom has not only increased their self-confidence, but also strengthened their position in the family and society.
However, the path of urban women is not without obstacles. Insecurity in daily life, harassment at work, the risk of commuting, the dual pressure of managing work and family life, and gender-discriminatory salary structures create new challenges for them. Especially the competitive environment of the office increases mental stress, and family expectations always impose additional responsibilities on them. Yet, urban women do not give up. Using education, work skills, technological knowledge, and their own identity as strengths, they are strengthening their position. In the lives of many women, this self-reliance is not only economic; it changes their outlook on life and redefines self-esteem.
The most heartwarming change is seen in the lives of women who have moved from villages to cities. Many women are leaving behind rural poverty, limitations and social norms and building a new life in the city. Some get their first job in garments, some work at home, while others start working in small shops or sewing training centers. Initially, low wages, difficulty adapting to the new environment and the hardship of being away from their families make them mentally weak. But gradually, work experience and courage change them. With time, they get other jobs, improve their skills, and many start small businesses. The real beginning of self-reliance in many girls from villages is the day they first use their own money to support their children or send something for their families.
This change is not just a personal victory; it transforms the entire society. When women advance in education, work, and economic power, poverty in the family decreases, the quality of education of children increases, and financial security is created. When the financial position of a family begins to change, it also has a positive impact on society. When a woman earns her own income, she gains the courage to stand up against oppression or injustice, and mutual respect increases in relationships. Economic independence rebuilds women’s self-identity and strengthens their position in society. Therefore, women’s self-reliance is not just about additional income; it is a path to gaining mental strength, social security, and self-confidence.
But the road ahead is long. Without ensuring a safe society for women, equal pay, the spread of digital skills, a suitable environment for childcare, mental health support, and above all, family tolerance, women’s true self-reliance will not be fully achieved. The family, society, and the state must come forward together so that women not only get the opportunity to work, but can also hold it with confidence.
The story of women in Bangladesh is no longer the same. Today, they are not just people in the home; they are the driving force behind economic development, they are the inspiration for the new generation to dream. The story of women changing in both rural and urban areas is like a reflection of a new Bangladesh. A self-reliant woman means a strong family, a stable society, and a developed nation. Therefore, it can be said that this path forward for women is the path of our future where women are not just companions of progress, but the main driving force of progress.
