SOF - Shobujer Ovijan Foundation

The environment in which SOF operates is changing rapidly over the last decade. It is envisioned that the change will continue to happen in the coming years. The social, political and economic aspects of women's life are among the most crucial factors that affect the function of SOF. The growth of export oriented garments sector and rapid urbanization have influenced to the change of occupation for lower-middle and poor women. About 85% of total garments workforce are women and a majority of them are aged below 30.

The young women are being attracted to formal jobs offered by the garment industry. Today a large number of women, mostly young women are working in the industrial sector. The change in occupation has created a new challenge for the working mother to raise their children. Such working mothers for larger part of the day leave their children unattended and often without proper care. These children grow-up in an unhealthy atmosphere that impact adversely on their long-term development. The current economic trend of Bangladesh suggest that women will continue to explore employment opportunities in the formal sector for economic emancipation and self-reliance.