Govt launches roadmap for childcare in Bangladesh 

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs yesterday with the technical assistance from the International Labour Organization (ILO), officially launched the "Roadmap for Childcare in Bangladesh".

At an event in the Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka, the roadmap was inaugurated by Mamtaz Ahmed, senior secretary of the ministry, alongside Keya Khan, director general of the Department of Women Affairs, and Tuomo Poutiainen, ILO country director.

The roadmap addresses key gaps in accessibility, affordability, and quality in the childcare sector, presenting a detailed framework to enhance the system nationwide, said a press release.

It was developed by Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) through extensive stakeholder consultations with the government, workers and employers organisations, childcare workers, and parents. 

It aligns with the government's commitments to the Decent Work Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality (particularly indicator 5.4.1 on reducing hours on unpaid care work of women) and SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth- thereby exploring the untapped potential of a thriving childcare economy.

The roadmap provides a 'whole-of-government' and 'whole-of-society' approach with the vision to establish an accessible, affordable, and quality childcare system with robust governance and regulatory framework. 

It will provide a step-by-step guideline for the government to develop the childcare sector with a two-pronged approach- i. on improving the childcare quality, affordability and accessibility of services, and ii. improving on the overall working conditions for all occupations in childcare.

Within two years, the action is to strengthen governance and raise awareness about the diverse aspects of childcare services; Initiate recognising childcare work as skilled work, including addressing decent work deficits by promoting fair wages, safety, and training for childcare workers.

Within five years, the roadmap will expand coverage, improve skills status quo for all childcare workers, and enhance the overall quality of ECCE services; Improved decent working conditions for childcare workers, including necessary certification in health, safety, and ECCE.  

In the long-term within 10 years, the action is to achieve full implementation of a nationwide plan of action for quality childcare that is accessible, affordable, and meets international standards, human rights instruments, and global best practices; Establish childcare as a recognised profession with equitable wages, access to social protection and a safe, supportive work environment.

In addition, the roadmap suggests practical strategies for addressing the financing gaps the government may consider within the existing policy framework of National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) alongside other policy tools for a more equitable redistribution amongst the overall costing related to childcare for Bangladesh.

During the event, Mamtaz Ahmed highlighted the government's commitment to improve the childcare system in Bangladesh. 

She emphasised that a robust childcare system would enable more women to join and stay in the workforce while also creating job opportunities for both women and men in the sector. This reflects the government's dedication to establishing sustainable childcare solutions that empower working parents, especially women.

Tuomo Poutiainen expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs for their efforts to advance the care agenda in Bangladesh. 

He said, "Access to quality, affordable childcare is essential for gender equality and social justice. It determines whether parents, especially mothers, can pursue work opportunities and how much of their income is spent on care—an issue particularly critical for families in informal settlements. Reliable, high-quality child care supports both family stability and workforce participation." 

He further emphasised aligning childcare initiatives with international labour standards.

A presentation on the supporting study by Dr Abu Eusuf, Executive Director of RAPID, revealed staggering statistics. Bangladesh currently has 63 government-run daycare centres, while there are over 100 private centres however, most of the private models remain unaffordable for low- and middle-income families. 54 per cent of women cited inadequate childcare as a significant barrier to workforce participation, with 18 per cent having to quit their jobs due to a lack of caregiving options. Dr Eusuf emphasised that the study provides a foundation for evidence-based policymaking to drive equitable and inclusive childcare solutions. Ms Tania Khan, Additional Secretary of MoWCA, presented the roadmap's core elements, which propose expanding child care infrastructure, ensuring affordability through targeted subsidies, and enhancing service quality through robust governance mechanisms including ensuring appropriate skilling opportunities and decent working conditions for childcare workers.

Senior government officials, representatives of workers' and employers' organisations, development partners, embassies, civil society groups, and the media gathered at the launch to unveil the roadmap and reinforce Bangladesh's commitment to improving child care nationally and globally. Among those present were Mr Sobur Hossain, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Badal Khan, Chairperson of the National Coordination Committee for Workers' Education, and Mr Farooq Ahmed, Secretary General of the Bangladesh Employers' Federation, highlighting the broad support for the initiative across key sectors.