The participation of women in business is increasingly being recognized as fundamental to economic growth. With women representing half the labor force aged 15–49 in Bangladesh, accelerating entrepreneurship and access to finance will be pivotal to socio-economic development in the country. According to the Bangladesh Labor Force Survey of 2013, the participation rate of females (32.9%) is substantially lower than their male (81.7%) counterparts.

Of the 7.8 million businesses in Bangladesh, 99.93% are cottage, micro, and small and medium enterprises (CMSMEs).1 However, the percentage that are women-owned (7.21%) is insignificant compared to those owned by men, and women account for only 17% of individuals are employed by CMSMEs.2 This low participation rate is the result of several economic and cultural barriers, but the greatest challenge facing women entrepreneurs in Bangladesh is access to finance (Jahed, Kulsum & Akhter, 2011).

In recognition of the importance of women’s participation in business for economic development, and in keeping with a constitutional commitment to economic opportunity and inclusion, the Government of Bangladesh has crafted national policies aimed at improving financial inclusion for women.