Inditex, the Spanish multinational clothing company, has announced that it will fund the university education of 50 female textile industry workers in Bangladesh for the next five years.

In partnership with the Asian University for Women (AUW), the initiative aimed to enhance professional development and expand access to higher education for women employed by Inditex’s partner suppliers in the country.

According to a press release from Inditex, the scholarships would be awarded to female workers employed by the company’s partner suppliers in Bangladesh.

Over the next five years, Inditex will allocate €3.75 million to support the academic training of these women, enabling them to pursue pre-university and university education.

The scholarship programme is part of Inditex’s broader commitment to empowering women and promoting gender equality in the workplace.

Access to higher education remains a significant challenge in Bangladesh, where female university enrolment continues to rise at a slower pace compared to men.

In response to this disparity, AUW is dedicated to empowering women from diverse backgrounds, equipping them with the skills needed to become qualified professionals and leaders in their communities, workplaces, and beyond.

Through this partnership, both Inditex and AUW hope to address the gender gap in higher education and foster long-term social and economic development in Bangladesh.

‘At Inditex, we believe that empowering women through education is one of the most effective ways to drive lasting and meaningful change in these communities. Through this scholarship program, we are investing in the future of female workers—the backbone of our supply chain—by providing them with the tools to unlock new opportunities and foster progress within their communities,’ said Inditex CEO Óscar García Maceiras.

‘At a time when uncertainty in global affairs has reached a new height, the partnership between Inditex and the Asian University for Women reminds us of what really matters — the weakest in our society must get the opportunities to rise above the circumstances that circumscribe the possibilities in their life,’ said Cherie Blair, Chancellor of the Asian University for Women.

‘As the first one in my family to enter university, I know how powerful higher education can be in opening doors that otherwise remain unimaginable. I commend Inditex for this far-reaching commitment that will help deepen AUW’s ability to identify talent where few others see them and nurture them so that they too can contribute in the making of a better future for themselves and the world,’ Blair added.

Set to launch in the upcoming academic year, this initiative will enable 50 female textile workers in Bangladesh to cover their tuition, accommodation, and living expenses for five years.

The selection process will begin in the coming weeks and will take place at Inditex’s supply chain factories in the country.

As part of the process, AUW will conduct informational sessions, selection interviews, and admission tests at participating factories for all interested workers.