Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Adviser to the Ministry of Planning, said women would soon have the legal rights to take their children to workplaces, as the interim government is working to establish a provision in this regard.
He said women are not only carrying the lion's share of unpaid household work, but are also excelling in formal employment - in some cases they are outshining men.
"Women are contributing in a better way than men in workplaces. A country's development can only be celebrated when women receive their due respect."
"If women are allowed to take their children to workplaces, it will pave the way for a future where recruiters will be required to establish mandatory day-care facilities in every office," he added.
The adviser made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a national dialogue - "Road to Recognition: A First Step towards Gender Equality" - organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at a city hotel on Monday.
The event brought together policymakers, researchers, civil society members, and media representatives to chart a collective path towards gender equality and women's empowerment.
The dialogue spotlighted the landmark Household Production Satellite Account (HPSA) Report of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), which values unpaid household work at Tk 6.70 trillion (18.9 per cent of the GDP). Women contribute 85 per cent of this, equivalent to 16.14 per cent of the GDP.
MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam recalled the organisation's decade-long advocacy: "Over a decade ago, we envisioned a society where women would be respected at home and face less domestic violence. Recognising unpaid care work was central to that vision. Today, the government's acknowledgment marks a milestone for women's rights."
BBS Deputy Director Asma Akhter shared the vision for a caring society and expressed hope to update the report data further.
Banasree Mitra Neogi, MJF Director - Rights and Governance Programmes, delivered the keynote presentation. She said, "Surveys are often funded by international development partners. They will not be able to do it all the time in future. So, the government should come forward to take such initiatives to take the country forward."
Nasheeba Selim, Principal Social Development Specialist (Gender) of ADB, said, "People expect that household chores will be done by women by default. But this perception needs to be changed, and equal gender roles should be defined."
Kazi Golam Towsif, Director General (additional responsibilities), Department of Women Affairs, said, "Our motto should be that men and women would work together for betterment of the society."
Gitanjali Singh, Country Representative of UN Women in Bangladesh, said combined effort of men and women would be a game changer in the unpaid care work sector.
Stéphanie St-Laurent Brassard, Second Secretary (Development - Gender Equality) of Canadian High Commission, said, "Let us reaffirm that care is not a cost. It is an investment, an investment in human potential, in equality, and in a more prosperous and just future for all."
Parveen Mahmud FCA, Chairperson of MJF Governing Board, said, "Recognition of women's unpaid care work is a remarkable achievement, which is an outcome of MJF's long-term advocacy. Stakeholders should change their perspectives regarding gender equality."
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