Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) for Oporajita

Oporajita is a 24-month project is being implemented by iDE to equip women garment workers (WGW) in Bangladesh for a future defined by automation and digitalization. Funded by the H&M Foundation and Sweden, the project aims to holistically address challenges to women’s future employment opportunities and livelihoods in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, which is facing uncertainty due to the loss of preferential trading access and shifts in production patterns causing the COVID-19 pandemic. The project aims to improve the entrepreneurial capacity of 1,500 out of work WGW and increase their household incomes by 50% by 2024 in various regions of the Dhaka division. The project is being implemented in Gazipur, Savar (of Dhaka), and Narayanganj districts and will benefit a total of 6,000 people through the increased income of 1,500 women RMG workers. In addition, the project demands a Rapid Market Assessment at early stage to get an evidence-based ‘first look’ into the RMG market systems, which are under-performing, and to see quickly why they are not functioning properly. Apart from, the assessment will include an analysis of the prevailing situation in the market system of the project location, identifying a range of sector-wise income-generating activities (IGAs) based on feasibility, desirability, and viability criteria and examining the various government and private sector stakeholders in the RMG market system. The key findings of the assessment will help to design the project market oriented and bridging the market gaps through affordable and sustainable business model.

CRD has been awarded this assignment to conduct the assessment (Rapid Market Assignment). The objective of the assessment is to assess market systems, select actors, and gather information to improve income and employment for women garment workers in Bangladesh. Throughout the assignment, CRD will apply Human Centered Design (HCD) principles to evaluate market system potential. The assignment is being led by Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman (Lead Consultant, CRD) and others members include Mr. Shaibal Barua (Market Development Specialist), Mr. Md Abdus Salam (M&E Specialist) and Saleh Khan (Researcher).