Year
2026
Reform Domain
Manifesto Watch
Sub Domain
Women’s Empowerment
Source of Reform Proposals
Election Manifesto of Bangladesh Nationalist Party - BNP
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 30-Jul-26
This pledge was articulated in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) election manifesto for Bangladesh’s 13th national election. In its election manifesto, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) states that " Government will establish childcare centres for women at workplaces. Additionally, arrangements will be made to set up Breastfeeding Corners in garments and all industrial factories, offices, and courts where mothers can safely and comfortably nurse their newborns.”
Reform Initiated
Last Update: 30-Jul-26
On 24 April 2026, the Women and Children Affairs Minister said the government plans to expand childcare and caregiving services across the country. He stated that daycare centres are already operating within ministry premises and in different parts of Dhaka, and that the government plans to scale up services beyond Dhaka to divisional headquarters and gradually to most districts. He also stated that within 180 days, the government aims to cover some divisional headquarters and Dhaka, including facilities in hospitals and other institutions.
Legal and Policy Framework
Last Update: 30-Jul-26
The FY2026–27 Budget Speech gives the clearest current policy commitment. It states that, to enable working women to participate in the workforce with confidence, the government has undertaken a major initiative to establish 20 modern daycare centres in the first phase, followed by 60 additional centres in the next phase. In addition, under the FY27 Annual Development Programme (ADP), the incumbent government allocated Tk 50 crore for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) project titled "Establishment of 60 Child Daycare Centres." According to the ADP, the project is scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2027.
The Gender Budget Report FY2026–27 also directly reflects the pledge. Under the heading “Establishing day-care and breastfeeding corners places,” it states that childcare centres and other facilities will be provided for working women.
Observation
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There are 64 daycare centres active throughout the country. Under the FY27 Annual Development Programme (ADP), the incumbent government allocated Tk 50 crore for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) project titled "Establishment of 60 Child Daycare Centres." According to the ADP, the project is scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2027.
Earlier, in a report published in the media on 2 April 2026, it was seen that food supply at 20 government childcare centres under the Department of Women Affairs was temporarily suspended due to non-payment of bills for nine months, and parents were asked to bring food for their children at their own responsibility. Later, following the intervention of the ministry, food supply resumed from the afternoon of the same day. The Director General of the Department of Women Affairs stated that although funds had been allocated for the project, payments were delayed due to some administrative complications, and the process of clearing the outstanding dues had begun. The incidents are raising questions regarding the institutional capacity to ensure financing, monitoring, quality control, and continuity of services alongside the expansion of childcare centres.
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