With deep appreciation, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) has welcomed the Finance Advisor’s landmark announcement in the 2025–26 national budget speech, committing to formally recognize women’s unpaid care work and incorporate its value into the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The move marks a significant shift in national economic policy, aiming to highlight the critical but often overlooked contribution of women’s unpaid household and caregiving responsibilities to the country's development.
In a statement following the budget speech, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, “Recognising women’s household and care work in the national budget is crucial for achieving inclusive economic growth and gender equality in Bangladesh. Traditional economic indicators often render women’s significant contributions through unpaid domestic labour virtually invisible.”
Shaheen Anam underscored that MJF has been advocating for over 15 years for the institutional recognition of unpaid care work. She termed the Finance Advisor’s announcement a “historic step” and stressed the importance of using mechanisms such as a satellite account to determine and include the value of this labour in national income calculations.
“This recognition will enhance the dignity of women, change negative societal attitudes toward them, and ensure greater participation in decision-making processes,” she said. “Ultimately, it will help reduce violence against women, both at home and in the wider society.”
MJF also highlighted findings from a survey conducted by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), which was commissioned by the organization. The study reveals that the value of unpaid care work is estimated to be 2.5 to 2.9 times higher than the income women earn through paid employment—indicating the immense, yet unaccounted-for, economic contribution made by women every day.
The foundation views this recognition as a meaningful advancement toward ensuring equal rights for women and aligning national priorities with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). MJF believes that the implementation of this commitment will bring Bangladesh closer to building a society that is inclusive, just, and equitable.
