Socio–Demographic Factors of Female Labor Force Participation in Slum Areas of Bangladesh: Insights from a Cross-sectional Study

Introduction Nearly half of the workforce worldwide is women, still they have less participation at work compared to men. Women from marginalized communities, especially in slum areas, face deprivation of basic needs and limited access to the workforce. At work, they are restricted to low-paying, insecure jobs, have extensive working hours and no health or financial benefits. This study aimed to understand the factors that influence slum women in the workforce in Bangladesh. Methods This was a cross-sectional study. A purposive sampling technique was used to collect primary data using a semi-structured questionnaire from slums in the Mymensingh district. Around 400 primary data were collected for this study. Chi-square and Binary logistic regression analysis were used to determine the associated factors that influence female labor participation. Results The result showed that around (33%) of females participate in work and (67%) do not. Almost 78.03% of women earned 5000tk or less per month. 89.39% of women agreed that they earn insufficient money. Chi-square analysis showed a significant association with age (p<0.001), respondent’s education (0.002), and husband's education (p<0.002). Binary logistic regression revealed that Females aged 25-34 years have 3.24 times higher odds of working (CI: 1.95 to 5.38, p < 0.001) compared to those aged 15-24 years. Female-headed households showed 3.45 times higher odds of working (OR: 3.45, CI: 1.57 to 7.61, p = 0.002) compared to male-headed households. Conclusions This study examines the determinants of women's employment in Bangladeshi slum communities and offers an insightful analysis of why women face challenges in accessing employment in such environments. Necessary steps from the government should be taken, and a collaborative approach (both govt. and private) is also necessary to improve female labor force participation and protection of their human rights. Keywords: Slum, Socio-demographic Factors, LFPR, Odds ratio, LMIC