Country Director of ILO in Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen on Saturday highlighted the significance of gender equality, noting that the progress they see in Bangladesh's RMG sector is impressive.
"It demonstrates how gender equality is a moral imperative and an effective strategy for economic growth," Poutiainen said.
The ILO Country Director said they look forward to continuing this important work through the expansion of GEAR to foster a more inclusive workforce and drive tangible improvements in productivity and competitiveness.
The "Gender Equality and Returns: Advancing Women Leadership, Skills Development and Productivity in the Supply Chain" event held in Chattogram brought together stakeholders from the RMG industry to showcase the Gender Equality and Returns (GEAR) initiative in promoting gender equality and continued advancement of women's leadership and skills in the RMG sector.
GEAR, a collaborative initiative by ILO and the IFC Better Work programme, has trained 800 female workers since 2016, of which 528 have been promoted to supervisory roles.
In partnership with the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE), this event marked the joint commitment to women's empowerment in the RMG sector.
The RMG industry, a crucial contributor to the national economy, is experiencing positive change through initiatives like GEAR.
An Oxford University impact assessment revealed direct positive outcomes from GEAR, including a 5% increase in line efficiency, a 39% wage increase for female supervisors, and improved quality control, showcasing enhanced confidence and capabilities among trained workers.
Despite this, the sector still grapples with a mere 5% of supervisory roles held by women and an existing wage gap, highlighting the need for sustained efforts.
While acknowledging GEAR's successes, speakers at the event emphasized the necessity for collaborative action from the government, factory owners, buyers, development partners, UN agencies, and civil society organizations (CSOs).
These collaborative efforts are essential to creating a more equitable garment industry, according to ILO.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh Park Young Sik said Korea is proud to support Bangladesh in these vital initiatives. "The strides made here in gender equality inspire many," he noted.
Leena Khan, Labor Attaché, U.S. Embassy Dhaka, Bangladesh, said, "As graduates of the GEAR program, you will contribute to better working conditions, ensuring worker voices are heard, and improving employment opportunities for women."
"We recognize the program's work with governments, employers, workers, trade unions, and global brands to improve worker rights in the garment industry and to make the sector more competitive."