The government is set to allocate Tk3,26,059.80 crore for women’s development and gender equality in the national budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, the highest-ever allocation for the sector.
The allocation accounts for 34.8 per cent of the total budget and 4.8 per cent of the country’s GDP.
The government says the funding will help expand women’s economic participation, education, healthcare access, and social empowerment.
The gender budget highlights several initiatives aligned with the government’s election pledges, including the much-discussed “Family Card” programme.
Under the scheme, cards will be issued in the names of women heads of four crore marginalised families, who will receive Tk 2,000 to Tk 2,500 monthly or equivalent food support.
Two analysts told TIMES of Bangladesh that the programme goes beyond social protection, as it could strengthen women’s financial role within households by directly connecting them with state support.
However, they cautioned that the impact of the increased allocation would depend on effective implementation, transparency, and accountability.
The government has also expanded its target for women’s education, announcing free education opportunities up to the postgraduate level, compared to the previous provision up to secondary education.
Currently, around 11.6 million students receive stipends, with funds transferred directly to their mothers’ mobile accounts.
The government says the system has improved women’s financial inclusion and participation in household decisions. However, concerns remain over ensuring fair distribution and preventing political influence.
Despite the overall rise in the gender budget, allocations in some key sectors have declined.
The gender-related allocation in the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education has fallen from 67 per cent to 59.3 per cent, while the Health Services Division saw a decline from 45.2 per cent to 40.8 per cent.
In the ICT Division, the allocation dropped from 36.9 per cent to 33.5 per cent.
The decline comes despite growing demand for greater investment in women’s healthcare, digital safety and technology skills.
Salma Ali, chairperson of Action Against Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation of Children South Asia, told TIMES that the main challenge is not the size of the allocation but ensuring proper implementation.
“Budget allocation alone is not enough. There must be transparency about where the money is spent and who benefits. Despite increased funding, it remains unclear how much women and children’s services have improved,” she said.
She pointed out gaps in areas including prevention of violence against women, enforcement of anti-trafficking laws, tackling cyber violence and strengthening victim support services.
“Laws alone cannot ensure protection. Resources and monitoring are needed for effective implementation,” she added.
Government data shows that women’s labour force participation stands at 44.2 per cent, but around 96 per cent of working women remain employed in the informal sector, where wages are low and social protection is limited.
Although maternal mortality has declined, experts say progress remains insufficient to meet Sustainable Development Goal targets. Shortages of skilled health workers, malnutrition and child marriage continue to pose major challenges.
Stakeholders also stressed the need for greater investment in child protection, including school-based safety measures, prevention of sexual harassment and mental health support.
Alamgir Sujon, founder of Children Dreams, said past experience shows a gap between budget allocations and actual outcomes.
“A large amount has been allocated for women and children, but without visible progress in child protection, school safety, mental healthcare and rehabilitation of abuse survivors, the success of the budget will remain limited to paper,” he said.
He added that stronger accountability and effective implementation are now more important than merely increasing allocations.
