Bangladesh Bank’s latest biannual gender equality report shows that the number of women working in scheduled banks dropped to 35,061 during July–December 2025, down 6.87 per cent from 37,649 in the same period a year earlier.
Of all women employed in the banking sector, 65.55 per cent work in private banks, 26.09 percent in state-owned commercial banks, 5.55 per cent in specialized banks, and 2.81 per cent in foreign banks.
Dr Syed Md. Saikh Imtiaz, Professor of Women and Gender Studies at Dhaka University, said, “Whenever there is a recession, women are affected first. In the banking sector, when staff numbers are reduced, women are usually the first to be let go.”
Central bank data showed a 0.85 per cent decline in total bank employees, from 214,245 a year earlier to 212,427 in the current reporting period.
Dr Imtiaz also mentioned that the working environment and long hours in the banking sector discourage women.
To overcome these challenges, he said banks should provide women-friendly working hours, daycare facilities, and special incentives.
Currently, 38 out of 61 scheduled banks are providing daycare facilities according to the central bank report.
Private commercial banks continue to employ the largest number of women, but they also saw the steepest decline.
From July to December 2025, private banks employed 22,983 female staff, down 11.82 per cent from 26,064 a year earlier. Women account for just 16.13 per cent of the private banking workforce, the lowest among all bank categories.
State-owned commercial banks, by contrast, showed modest growth. They employed 9,147 women, up 5.56 per cent from 8,665 a year earlier. Female employees make up 16.89 per cent of the workforce in these banks, slightly higher than in private banks.
Specialized banks also reported a small increase, with 1,947 women on staff, up 2.91 per cent from 1,892 a year ago, representing 16.36 per cent of total employees.
Foreign commercial banks remain the best in gender balance despite a slight decline in numbers. They employed 984 women, down 4.28 per cent from 1,028 previously, but women still make up 25.03 per cent of their workforce, the highest among all bank types.
The report highlights persistent gender gaps at leadership and governance levels. Women hold just 13.11 per cent of bank board positions, down from 13.61 per cent a year earlier.
Their representation across management tiers shows a sharp decline as responsibility increases.
At entry-level roles, women account for 17.07 per cent of employees. This drops slightly to 16.19 per cent at mid-level positions and falls sharply to 10.35 per cent at senior management, although this is a small improvement from 9.73 per cent last year.
Non-bank financial institutions reflect similar trends. Women represent 16.82 per cent of employees, slightly higher than 16.59 per cent a year ago.
Board representation stands at 14.42 per cent, mid-level roles at 13.46 per cent, and senior positions at 8.08 per cent. Entry-level positions remain the most balanced, with 19.36 per cent female employees.
