BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, has just unveiled a major initiative to tackle the gender gap in Bangladesh’s workforce: a master plan to establish day-care centers across all workplaces.
The core message is powerful: No Bangladeshi woman should ever have to choose between her family and her future.
Rahman highlighted that the current low labor participation rate for women (43% vs. 80% for men) means Bangladesh is sacrificing immense talent and productivity. His vision is simple: make child care an essential part of our national economic strategy.
Key proposals include:
• Mandatory Day-Care in all government universities, phased into all government offices, and made compulsory for large private firms and factories.
• Incentives like tax breaks and CSR credits for employers who prioritize child care.
• Professional Training and certification for caregivers.
The Economic Impact:
Rahman believes this single reform is more than social welfare—it’s a smart economic move. Citing research, he notes that this push could add up to 1% to the GDP, increase family income, and is proven to boost worker retention and reduce absenteeism in key sectors like the RMG industry.
“Child care is not a luxury, it’s an essential part of our socio-economic infrastructure,” he stated. “Just as roads connect markets, day-care centers connect women to success in their careers.”
His ultimate goal? An inclusive Trillion-Dollar Economy by 2034, powered by the full potential of every Bangladeshi citizen.
