Female representation in banks on the rise

Women comprise half of the population, yet they are lagging behind in education, employment and business due to patriarchal social structure. Interestingly, women’s representation in the country’s banking sector is on the rise. As per updated data of the Bangladesh Bank (BB), women are now around 16 percent of the total workforce in the banks.

However, women’s representation is comparatively lower in the banks’ policy-making bodies and higher positions.

Until December 2019, the banks had a total of 178,430 employees, of which 28,480 or 15.96 percent were females, according to the central bank. In December 2018, the number of female staff was 24,991 -- 14.85 percent of the total 168,192 employees. It shows the number of female employees increased by 3,489 within a year.   

A previous report of the central bank shows the banks had a total of 175,027 staffers towards the end of 2017; of them, 22,053 or 12.60 percent were women.  

Women comprise maximum 39.58 percent (1,094) of the total 3,850 employees in the foreign commercial banks operating in Bangladesh, as per BB. 

However, three state-owned specialised banks have fewer female staff. In these banks, out of 14,016 employees, females consist of 1,828 or 15 percent. Besides, the six state-owned commercial banks have 7,767 female staff, which is 17.79 percent of total 51,429 employees working there. In the 41 private commercial banks, women account for 17,791 or 19.48 percent of total 109,127 employees. 

The BB report shows, 15.51 percent women are working in the mid-level positions in the state-owned banks, while 15.16 percent in the entry level positions. In these banks, only 10.45 percent women hold positions of general manager and above, while only 12 percent represent the banks’ boards.  

In the private banks, women’s representation is 14 percent in the boards, 7.55 percent in higher positions, 15 percent in mid-level positions and 16 percent in the entry-level positions.

Apart from the banks, in the 33 financial institutions, women account for 16.22 percent of the total workforce. Out of 5,875 employees, there are only 953 women working in these organisations.

The central bank report says many banks have taken women-friendly policy like ensuring transportation for female staff and granting maternity leave. However, all banks are yet to start day-care centres.

hr/at