The nexus between gender relations and the sociocultural and economic empowerment of Bangladeshi women engaging in online home-based businesses

This article examines how gender relations within family structures influence the economic and sociocultural empowerment of Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs engaged in online home-based businesses (OHBBs). This study was conducted in the Chittagong city area (officially known as Chattogram), the southeastern part of Bangladesh. To achieve a comprehensive understanding of the research objectives, 20 purposive, in-depth interviews were conducted using an unstructured interview guide. To further enhance the validity and robustness of these qualitative findings, quantitative data were also collected from a sample of 80 women entrepreneurs, which included the 20 interview participants. The quantitative data were gathered via a Google Forms questionnaire comprising a series of closed-ended questions. The data were analysed using thematic analysis for qualitative insights and descriptive statistics for quantitative findings. The study revealed that existing gender relations do not significantly hinder women entrepreneurs from saving, investing in their businesses, or contributing financially to family matters. However, evidence indicates that societal perceptions of home-based entrepreneurship are often negative, with an expectation that educated women should pursue corporate careers rather than engage in home-based business activities. The findings further highlight that cyberbullying has disproportionately adverse effects on married women. This article argues that, although both married and unmarried women entrepreneurs encounter obstacles stemming from gender dynamics within their families, these challenges do not substantially hinder their processes of sociocultural and economic empowerment. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at assisting policymakers in Bangladesh in developing women-friendly entrepreneurship policies, including measures to address and prevent cyberbullying.