The readymade garments (RMG) sector is the largest export industry in Bangladesh, with approximately 4.1 million workers, of which 60.8% are women. Women trade union leaders continue to play a crucial role in protecting RMG workers’ interests and have become more vocal and visible in leading recent labour movements. To celebrate International Women’s Day 2021, the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) interviewed 3 prominent trade union leaders to understand what International Women’s Day means to them, and the historic significance of this day for the labour rights movement in Bangladesh. This video has been produced by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) under the “Sustaining Power: Women’s struggles against contemporary backlash in South Asia” program – a 5-year project launched in January 2020 and funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) that aims to answer when, how, and why women’s power struggles succeed in retaining power and sustaining their gains against the backlash. We are grateful to Taslima Akhtar, President, Bangladesh Garment Sramik Sanghati; Kalpona Akter, Executive Director, Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity; and Khadiza Akter, Sommilito Garment Sramik Foundation & Treasurer, Awaj Foundation, for agreeing to be a part of this project.
Producers: Antara, Iffat Jahan; Khondoker, Zarine Anan; Mehedi, Zehad Al
Type: Multimedia
Year: 2021
