This chapter primarily focuses on the significant contributions of female entrepreneurs to Bangladesh's economy in the light of technology/IT as a medium. Its primary objective is to present a comprehensive overview of the experiences of female entrepreneurs, including the support they have received, the obstacles they have had to overcome, and other related aspects and the involvement of technology to carry out their day-to-day activity. The central aim of this study is to explore the role of the digital marketplace in empowering women in Bangladesh's entrepreneurial endeavors. The findings of the study reveal that most women in Bangladesh initiate their businesses to attain self-sufficiency and financial independence. They face significant challenges such as social barriers, family constraints, limited resources, and labor shortages. Many of these female entrepreneurs were students, homemakers, or teachers before venturing into business.
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In recent times, the advancement of women's entrepreneurship within Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Bangladesh has become a focal point in policymaking aimed at the overall development of the SME sector as a strategy for inclusive growth. The reasons for this focus are evident. On a global scale, despite comprising half of the human population, women are conspicuously absent in terms of owning and managing their own businesses, particularly in developing countries. While acknowledging the significant strides made by women globally and in Bangladesh in various economic activities and professional pursuits, especially since the establishment of the Beijing Platform of Action for women, challenges persist on the ground. These challenges are exacerbated by women's trifecta of hardships in Bangladesh—entailing extreme poverty, pervasive discrimination, and inequality, and, significantly, limited participation in the workforce.
Despite constituting half of the population in Bangladesh, women continue to face significant underrepresentation in the business sector. While the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) industry sees a substantial female presence, comprising nearly 90% of its 5 million workers, their involvement in non-RMG industrial sectors is minimal. This underscores the untapped potential of a substantial female workforce as a valuable source for economic growth and social advancement. To foster a sustainable democratic society marked by inclusive participation, poverty reduction, and overall prosperity, it is imperative to promote the development of women entrepreneurship.
The intersection of social networking and media entrepreneurship with a focus on the role of mobile phone usage in online shopping. Conducted through a systematic literature review without primary data collection, the research examines literature from the last five years (2013-2018). The findings highlight the widespread popularity of social networking, online shopping, and digital media entrepreneurship, facilitated by the accessible and affordable use of mobile phones. Despite the increased popularity of media entrepreneurship, the study suggests that its implementation has been lacking. The research points towards opportunities for improving online shopping experiences, building trust, simplifying decision-making in online purchases, and addressing unemployment issues in emerging and developing nations. While acknowledging limitations, such as inconsistent research papers and limited empirical evidence, the study provides implications and contributions for online shoppers, marketers, policymakers, and entrepreneurs. Ultimately, it recognizes the growing role of social networking in the development of media entrepreneurship, particularly in the context of mobile phone usage for online shopping. (Syed,2019)