Women's Reflexivity and Progress in Engineering Careers in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of women in engineering professions in Bangladesh, the challenges they face and the strategies they deploy to surmount them. Semi-structured interviews with 20 women in various engineering roles reveal entrenched socio-cultural and institutional impediments, including pervasive micro-aggressions and gender stereotypes, which limit women's participation in the field. In response to these challenges, women adopt a range of reflexive strategies, such as enhancing their professional skills, confronting discriminatory practices directly, selectively disengaging from specific situations, and seeking support from familial and professional networks. These adaptive approaches, tailored to different contexts, enable women to persist in their careers despite systemic obstacles. The study enriches our understanding of the gendered dynamics within engineering careers and offers valuable insights into interventions that could facilitate the sustained progress of women in the profession, particularly in developing economies such as Bangladesh.