Diversity & Inclusion Research RESEARCH ARTICLE Factors Influencing Women's Participation in Nonfarm Economic Activities: Insights From the Fishing Community of Chandpur, Bangladesh Shahiduzzaman Selim | Abu Zahid | Babor Ahmad | Md. Rakibul Hasan | Md. Anowar Hossain Department of Economics, Dhaka International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh Correspondence: Babor Ahmad (baboraswapon@gmail.com) Received: 16 February 2025 | Revised: 24 May 2025 | Accepted: 4 July 2025 Keywords: fishing community | nonfarm economic activities | rural livelihoods | women | women empowerment ABSTRACT This study aims to examine determinants of women participation in nonfarm activities among fishing community of Chandpur and identify the barriers such as traditional norms and lack of opportunities by using logistic regression and perception index. The study makes a novel contribution to the literature by highlighting the hitherto neglected setting of a fishing community in rural Bangladesh. The findings reveal that education, access to credit, skill development, and household characteristics sig- nificantly influence women's involvement in nonfarm sectors. Women with higher levels of education are more likely to engage in diverse economic activities, as education enhances their skills and adaptability. Access to credit emerges as a critical enabler, providing financial resources for entrepreneurial ventures and business expansion. Skill development initiatives are found to increase employability and participation rates, while favorable household characteristics, such as a larger household size and lower dependency ratios, further facilitate economic engagement by reducing caregiving burdens. The findings also underscore the importance of asset ownership and transportation infrastructure in enhancing women's economic participation. Asset ownership fosters financial independence, while access to transportation networks improves mobility and connectivity to markets and workplaces. Cultural and societal norms, however, continue to pose barriers, limiting opportunities for women in certain communities. The study has important policy implications. To enhance women's participation in rural nonfarm sectors, governments and development agencies should focus on expanding access to education and vocational training tailored to women's needs. Strengthening microfinance initiatives, particularly low‐interest credit schemes, can empower women to invest in entrepreneurial activities. Additionally, improving infrastructure, including roads and public transportation, is essential for facilitating market access. Policies should also address cultural constraints, promoting gender equality and empowering women to fully participate in economic development. These measures collectively contribute to rural economic growth and the advancement of women's socioeconomic status. 1 | Introduction Rural economies in developing countries are undergoing sig- nificant transformations, driven by factors such as population growth, agricultural challenges, and the increasing need for diversified income sources. Nonfarm economic activities (NFEA) have emerged as critical components in enhancing rural livelihoods, reducing poverty, and fostering sustainable economic growth. These activities, encompassing small‐scale trade, manufacturing, and services, complement agricultural income and mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with sea- sonal farming and resource dependency (Rohe et al. 2018). In This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. © 2025 The Author(s). Diversity & Inclusion Research published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 1 of 16 Diversity & Inclusion Research, 2025; 2:e70034 https://doi.org/10.1002/dvr2.70034