Written by Fairuj Fariha
When viewed through the lens of Marxist feminism, capitalism’s role in the commercialization of women becomes apparent. Women’s labor and bodies are reduced to mere commodities that can be bought, sold, and exploited for profit. In a capitalist society, women’s labor, whether in the home or the workplace, is undervalued and seen as a tool for generating wealth for others.
This commodification process is evident in how women are socially expected to perform both domestic and professional tasks while receiving unequal recognition or reward for their contributions. In Bangladesh, the garment industry is a notable example of exploitation. Bangladesh is one of the world’s top garment exporters, and a significant portion of the workforce consists of female workers, primarily from rural areas.
These women, who are often paid low wages and work in poor conditions, exemplify the commodification of labor. Their work is extracted cheaply to maximize profits for international corporations and local factory owners. Furthermore, many women in Bangladesh are confined to low-paying, low-status employment, which exacerbates gender inequality in the workforce.
Women work long hours in the garment sector, where they are pushed to meet unrealistic production targets while working in hazardous conditions. The Rana Plaza collapse in 2013 is a stark reminder of the risks they face. Women’s labor in this sector is commodified through the exploitation of their reproductive labor, which includes unpaid work such as childcare and cooking.
While these duties are crucial, they are often overlooked and undervalued, contributing to the larger economic system without receiving fair compensation. Marxist feminism criticizes this, pointing out that capitalism relies on the gendered division of labor, where women’s unpaid domestic work supports the labor market without recognition or reward.
Moreover, women in Bangladesh are frequently depicted in the media and advertising industries as objects of desire, contributing to the commodification of women’s bodies. This commercialization, whether in the form of labor or sexuality, reflects capitalist values that view women as economic value generators rather than individuals with agency and dignity.
Marxist feminists argue that true equality will not be achieved until capitalist structures that commodify women’s labor and bodies are dismantled, and women have equal access to economic, social, and political rights as men. Thus, the gendered commodification in Bangladesh highlights the connection between capitalism and patriarchy, emphasizing the need for systemic change to achieve gender justice.
Bangladesh Feminist Archives 