Women make up a significant share of Bangladesh’s textile workforce, yet gaps in chemical safety and occupational health protection remain. By integrating gender into chemical management and occupational health and safety, ESDO and its partners are working towards a safer, more inclusive, and sustainable textile industry in Bangladesh.
On 12 October 2026, ESDO, in collaboration with the Department of Environment (DoE) and project partners, convened the National Stakeholders Consultation on the Gender Action Plan in the Textile Sector in Dhaka.
Distinguished panelists: Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Professor Dr. Shahriar Hossain, Senior Technical Advisor at ESDO, Dr. Anton Purnomo, Director of BCRC-SEA, Indonesia, and Guest of Honour, Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Regional Gender Expert, Dr. Mahfuzul Haque, National Project Coordinator, Siddika Sultana, National Gender Expert for the project, Mr. Kazi Suman, Deputy Director of the Department of Environment and National Focal Point (NFP) and Mr. Rizcky Rezza Bramansyah, Basel and Stockholm Conventions Regional Centre for Southeast Asia (BCRC-SEA), Indonesia.
The consultation brought together government representatives, technical experts, and stakeholders to review gender assessment findings and discuss the draft National Gender Action Plan (NGAP), focusing on safer workplaces, responsible chemical management, improved access to personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety training, and greater participation of women in workplace decision-making.
Every worker deserves a safe workplace. The proposed action plan aims to address these challenges through clear responsibilities, measurable targets, and coordinated action.
