Celebrating the rights and contributions of informal sector workers

On 8 March 2026, Labour at Informal Economy (LIE), in collaboration with Bangladesh Free Trade Union Congress (BFTUC) and OSHE Foundation, organised a Women’s Day celebration program in Dhaka. It brought together women workers from various sectors to recognise their rights, contributions, and dignity, and discuss crucial issues such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and legal protections available for women. The event aimed to strengthen solidarity among women workers and encourage them to share knowledge with their communities.

A total of 35 participants (32 women, 3 men) participated in the event, most of whom are home-based workers (HBWs), street vendors, and waste collectors, representing different groups in the informal sector.

The session was co-facilitated by Advocate Nahida Tabassum Kona, a lawyer specialising in GBV cases, who shared important information about laws, protections, and support for women workers. Similarly, co-facilitator Farida Khanam,  National Coordinator of LIE, stressed the importance of awareness, harmony, and collective action to address violence and discrimination. Representatives from different Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) were also present and expressed their support for informal women workers. 

All in all, the event successfully created a platform for women workers in the informal economy to network, exchange ideas, and, most importantly, celebrate their hard work. At the end of the program, participants expressed their commitment to keep spreading awareness about women’s rights and protection against violence.