“I thought my dreams had ended,” said Lipi Begum; she returned to Bangladesh with a heavy heart after enduring exploitation as a domestic worker in Saudi Arabia. Like thousands of other women migrant workers, she faced abuse, non-payment of wages, and isolation during her time abroad. Upon her return, Lipi’s prospects seemed bleak.
However, with the support of the Brac migration program, she found a new path forward. Turning discarded cement bags into eco-friendly products, Lipi built a successful tailoring business that not only supported her family but also earned her the prestigious Joyita Award, celebrating women who overcame adversity.
Lipi’s journey is emblematic of the experiences of many Bangladeshi women migrants who venture abroad to secure better futures for their families.
Over 1.23 million women migrated for work between 1991 and September 2024, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET). Their remittances play a crucial role in driving Bangladesh’s economic growth and improving the livelihoods of countless families.
In 2017, a record 121,925 women left the country for employment, primarily in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE. These nations host 72% of Bangladeshi female migrants, who work mainly as domestic helpers, caregivers, and service sector employees.
These women, often working in vulnerable and exploitative conditions, endure extreme physical and emotional abuse, lack of medical care, and hazardous work environments.
Many succumb to health complications, non-payment of wages, limited availability of food choices, workplace accidents, or even take their own lives due to unbearable stress and isolation.
Poor migration management, unsafe recruitment practices, and a lack of support mechanisms exacerbate their vulnerabilities. Despite these hardships, the determination and resilience of these women remain unwavering.
Media reports indicate that around 30,000 women have returned to Bangladesh between 1991 and 2024 due to physical abuse, mental trauma, and wage irregularities. For those who manage to return, the challenges do not end.
At airports, the lack of a systematic support mechanism exacerbates their struggles. Many returnees, often traumatized or unwell, are met with stigmatization and inadequate assistance.
Immediate medical care, psychological support, accommodation, shelter home, or basic transportation services are often unavailable. Language barriers and financial constraints leave them vulnerable and marginalized during this critical phase of reintegration.
Since 2018, the BRAC Migration Program has provided Immediate assistance to over 5,630 women returnees at airports, including food, medical aid, temporary accommodation, and transportation. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was also cash support provided to help women rebuild their lives. These initiatives underscore the importance of structured reintegration programs in addressing the unique challenges faced by women returnee migrants.
The resilience of Bangladeshi women migrants is a testament to their courage and determination. Their contributions extend beyond remittances
Experts emphasize that while individual efforts like Brac’s are commendable, systemic changes are needed to ensure sustainable solutions. Advocacy groups have called for stronger labour agreements with destination countries to protect female workers from abuse and exploitation. They also highlight the need for standard operating procedures (SOPs) at airports to provide comprehensive support for women returnees.
SOPs could include gender-sensitive immediate assistance measures such as trauma counseling, on-site medical care, safety kits, support for women who became pregnant due to sexual abuse and returned with unwanted children, and dedicated shelters for vulnerable women returnees.
Such measures would streamline services and ensure women returnees receive the assistance they need at a critical juncture. Additionally, embassies in host countries must collaborate with local Bangladeshi communities to monitor working conditions and intervene in cases of abuse.
The resilience of Bangladeshi women migrants, despite the adversities they face, is a testament to their courage and determination. Their contributions extend beyond remittances; they challenge societal norms and inspire future generations to aspire for change.
Stories like Lipi Begum’s show that with the right support systems in place, women migrants can transform their lives and contribute meaningfully to society. As the nation continues to rely on the strength and sacrifices of its migrant workforce, investing in gender-sensitive policies, skills training, and reintegration programs is essential.
By addressing the systemic challenges faced by women migrants, Bangladesh can safeguard their rights and unlock their full potential as agents of change and progress. Their journeys should be respected with dignity, and they must receive the support they not only truly deserve, but have earned.
Nusrat Jahan Nishat is the manager and gender focal of BRAC Migration Program.