Women play a vital role in Bangladesh’s sanitation economy, yet their contribution remains largely invisible and under-supported. Despite the importance of women-owned and women-led enterprises across the sanitation value chain, participation is limited by financial exclusion, informal business structures, mobility constraints and weak policy recognition. Nationally, only 7.2% of cottage, micro and small enterprises are owned by women, highlighting a significant gender gap in entrepreneurship.
To address this challenge, the Women in Sanitation Enterprises (WISE) project aims to strengthen women-owned and women-led sanitation enterprises across Bangladesh. Led by the Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE) and financed by the Islamic Development Bank through a We-Fi grant, WISE is a four-year initiative that will support 500 women-led enterprises by expanding access to finance, strengthening business practices, improving market linkages and creating a more enabling policy environment.
To inform the design of the project, WSUP Bangladesh, supported by the Global Water & Sanitation Center at AIT, Thailand, conducted a rapid baseline study in Dohar, Cumilla and Lakshmipur. The study combined surveys with women entrepreneurs, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and in-depth business case studies across sanitation-related activities.
The findings show that women’s participation in the sanitation economy is concentrated in specific entry points, particularly hygiene product sales, recycling and reuse, and solid waste management. Most enterprises operate at cottage scale, are informal, and rely heavily on household labour and family networks. While these businesses play an important role in the sanitation value chain, they face barriers at multiple levels, from limited financial literacy and lack of access to credit, to restricted mobility, weak market connections and limited recognition in policy and municipal planning.
At the same time, the study highlights clear opportunities for growth. Demand is strong for products such as recycled goods, paper bags, handicrafts and hygiene products. Women entrepreneurs expressed strong interest in building business, financial and digital skills, while better connections to suppliers, buyers and municipal systems could significantly improve enterprise viability—particularly in climate-relevant and circular economy markets.
This evidence provides a strong foundation for the WISE project, which seeks to unlock the potential of women-led sanitation enterprises and build more inclusive, resilient sanitation markets in Bangladesh. By addressing structural barriers and strengthening women’s role in the sanitation economy, WISE aims to deliver benefits not only for women entrepreneurs, but for cities, services and public health more broadly.
Read more about this on this IWA Water and Development Congress & Exhibition 2025 poster: WSUP – WISE IWA Poster