Publications

At the National Conference on Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) in 2009, organized by Scholars Bangladesh, a thought-provoking paper titled “Returnee Female Migrant Workers as Entrepreneurs – Some Preliminary Thoughts on How to Go About It” was presented, offering early yet strategic insights into the untapped potential of returnee women migrants as drivers of grassroots entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. The paper explored the socio-economic reintegration challenges faced by female returnees—ranging from limited access to finance and market linkages to social stigma—and proposed actionable pathways for transforming these challenges into opportunities. Drawing from both field observations and policy trends, the research emphasized the importance of targeted skill development, mentorship, and inclusive financial instruments to support the transition of returnee women from remittance earners to micro and small-scale entrepreneurs. It also highlighted the role of local institutions, diaspora networks, and development partners in creating enabling ecosystems for women-led enterprises. As a timely contribution to national discourse on migration and development, the presentation called for a gender-responsive reintegration framework that recognizes the economic and social capital of returnee female migrants, and positions them as valuable agents of inclusive growth.

 

Author: Syeda Farzana Morshed