Women Prioritized in the EARN Project — Rural Social Barriers to Be Addressed

In light of this situation, the government's new EARN Project places the highest priority on women's participation and development. According to economists, if women were to participate in the labor market at rates equivalent to men, Bangladesh's GDP growth could increase by an additional 2 percent.

To advance women's economic empowerment, the project has introduced several targeted measures. Village Level Training Centers (VLTCs) are being established at the community level to make training more accessible for rural women, and training in non-traditional and emerging trades — beyond conventional gender-defined boundaries — is being arranged for women. In addition, childcare facilities and alternative care arrangements are being integrated into training centers in 20 special upazilas, enabling mothers with children aged six years or below to attend training without any concern for their children's care.

In line with the project's targets, a significant proportion of the 900,000 total beneficiaries are women. For instance, 500,000 youth — including 300,000 women — will receive technical and Socio-Emotional Behavior (SEB) training at village-level centers. To address social barriers, the project is conducting awareness campaigns and community meetings — known as uthan baitak (courtyard sessions) — by engaging local communities and families. This is expected to foster positive attitudes toward women's work in rural society and create a more enabling and supportive environment.

EARN Desk