USAID launches $5m project for Bangladesh’s female RMG workers

USAID today launched a $5 million project – "Women Thrive in Bangladesh" – to empower women working in the readymade garment factories.

USAID Mission Director Kathryn D Stevens, Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Employment Md Ehsan-E-Elahi, Director of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, and leaders from global fashion company PVH launched the project.

With the US support, CARE Bangladesh will implement the five-year project to expand professional development opportunities for over 100,000 women working in the ready-made garment sector by equipping them with market-oriented leadership skills, according to a US Embassy statement today.

The project will strengthen women's advocacy and negotiation skills within the workplace and in their communities to advance their rights and help them overcome gender-related barriers and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

USAID and CARE will work with PVH in factories and communities in Dhaka, Chattogram and Narayanganj.

The project will incorporate a career enhancement training module developed by Gap Inc, a US-based clothing manufacturer, and reduce gender disparities in ready-made garment factories and communities in these areas.