The Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and Women Empowerment in Bangladesh: An Analysis

Abstract

The emergence of women entrepreneurship in SME has gained importance all over the World. There is a definitional ambiguity in cases of SMEs in Bangladesh. Different Organizations define it according to 'heir objectives and conveniences. A general theory of SME has not yet been developed in Bangladesh. Poverty reduction through economic Growth and employment generation on a mass scale is largely dependent on the Development and expansion of SMEs. The socio-economic status and influence of women will increase when they participate in more cash-earning economic activities. Empowerment is a multi-dimensional concept. It includes economic, social and political Factors. This paper argues that Bangladesh women are empowered by the new Opportunities of micro finance and the ready-made garment (RMG) industry since the 1990s. Though progress has been made in some difficult areas (health and education), but Some equally difficult future challenges (which may include political and wider social Spheres) remain.