The government is trying to take steps strategically to address issues to recognize the unpaid care work. The solution to remove stigma is to have appropriate laws and regulations.
Planning minister MA Mannan made the comments while speaking as the chief guest in a webinar jointly organized by SANEM and Manusher Jonno Foundation titled “Integration of Care Economy in Policy Formulation” on Saturday.
“Affirmative actions are being implemented in Bangladesh. Initiatives have already been taken that include mandatory three female members in union level or one women vice chairman in Upazila level, 60% of the employment in primary school reserved for women, etc.,” he said.
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The webinar was moderated by Dr Selim Raihan, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, and Executive Director of SANEM. Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka, and Research Director of SANEM delivered the keynote presentation at the beginning of the event.
Dr Selim Raihan started the webinar by highlighting the importance of women’s contribution and recognition in policy formulation in achieving larger development goals like the Five Year Plan, Sustainable Development Goals.
Shaheen Anam, Executive Director, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) in her opening remarks emphasized disseminating the research outcomes to the proper authority.
She also said that focusing on the care economy can lessen the burden on women and ultimately ensure their participation in paid and formal work.
Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha in her presentation said that Bangladesh has done impressively well in many socioeconomic factors but has many challenges in terms of women empowerment.
She emphasized on the 3Rs- Recognizing the value, Reducing responsibilities and Redistributing the work.
Md Saiful Islam in his speech reiterated the importance of 3R for recognizing unpaid care work.
He talked about various ongoing projects of the government which would facilitate the participation of women in the labor force.
Md Saiful Islam, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare; Ms Baby Rani Karmakar, Joint Secretary of the Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance; Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD); and Dr Sheikh Muslima Moon, Additional Director of the Department of Women Affairs, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, were among the panelists present in the webinar.