The Khulna district administration has initiated the establishment of 'Mother and Child Corners' at 68 Union Parishad offices in the area. Many women, including mothers with infants, visit these offices for various services and face challenges due to the lack of proper facilities. Recognizing this, the district administration has introduced this service to provide better amenities.
Currently, this service is available in around 20 Union Parishads, including 7 in the Batiaghata Upazila and 6 in the Dighlia Upazila. The plan is to extend this service to all Union Parishads by this September, funded through the Union and Upazila Parishad Development Assistance Fund.
The 'Mother and Child Corner' initiative, launched in the 2022-23 fiscal year, aims to address the needs of women by offering six key services. These services include safe water supply, breastfeeding facilities, toilets, a comfortable environment for both service recipients and children, reading materials, and prayer areas.
Previously, women faced difficulties in accessing services at the Union Parishad offices, including long wait times, lack of proper breastfeeding and toilet facilities, and discomfort while standing with infants. The introduction of the 'Mother and Child Corner' has alleviated some of these challenges.
Each 'Mother and Child Corner' consists of a separate room with amenities such as toilets, seating arrangements, and breastfeeding spaces. Officials from the district administration have inspected and approved these corners.
Khan Masum Billah, Dighlia Upazila's executive officer, reported positive responses from beneficiaries, along with the addition of medical beds and local newspapers for convenience. In Batiaghata Upazila, the service is operational across 7 Union Parishads, fostering improved relationships with female service seekers.
Md. Yusup Ali, Deputy Director of Khulna District Administration, highlighted the existing challenges for women at Union Parishad offices. The initiative is already active in around 20 Union Parishads, with expansion plans by September. Service users have warmly welcomed these upgraded facilities, showcasing heightened enthusiasm for their utilization.
