The New Wave of Feminism in Bangladesh - A Corporate Governance Perspective

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current scenario of women in the organisations of Bangladesh and issues that influence how women managers/leaders practice feminism within the corporate governance context of organisations. The theoretical perspective of the research is backed by the new wave of feminism or moderate feminism. As Schippers and Sapp (2012 suggested about understanding of the third wave of feminism within the context of inequality and difference rather than as an issue of individual choice available to women as a source of confidence and empowerment. The filed of enquiry is the public limited and private limited companies in Bangladesh with the study drawing on qualitative research. The researchers interviewed 40 male and female professionals (managers and senior managers) working in the public and private limited companies in Bangladesh. The interviewees provided rich qualitative data. The analysis of the data helped in bringing out the appropriate scenario of women in the organisations of Bangladesh practicing more of moderate feminism. Moreover, the issues were identified that effect the practice of feminism by women. The findings also suggested that women managers still face discrimination and find themselves at disadvantaged position in the organisations of Bangladesh and therefore, the information will enable the policy makers and management team to review their strategies and trainings and redesign accordingly to promote women empowerment. This paper examines an area of gendered leadership in corporate governance that is underexplored in public and private companies and is particularly valuable to women professionals in these companies. However, the scope extend to all other organisation managers/leaders who seek to improve the aspects of their corporate governance activities to employ best talents available in the country irrespective of their gender and promote women empowerment.