The Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs has recommended stronger measures to empower marginalised women, protect children and expand daycare facilities for low-income working mothers.
The committee also called for regular monitoring of activities at the district and upazila levels to ensure women and children receive services at the grassroots.
The recommendations were made at the first meeting of the standing committee of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad at the Parliament complex on Thursday. Committee Chairperson Selima Rahman MP presided over the meeting.
The committee was briefed on the vision, mission, manpower, budget, activities, achievements, implementation of the government’s election manifesto and future plans of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and its affiliated organisations.
The briefing covered the Department of Women Affairs, Jatiya Mahila Sangstha, Bangladesh Shishu Academy, Joyeeta Foundation and the DNA Laboratory Management Directorate.
Committee members praised the ministry’s activities while stressing the need to ensure services reach people at the grassroots and to regularly monitor programmes at the district and upazila levels.
They recommended strengthening the empowerment of marginalised women and ensuring mental wellbeing and family support for pregnant mothers.
The committee also called for the appointment of child protection officers and greater emphasis on children’s moral education, safety and awareness against drug abuse. It further recommended involving families more closely in children’s mental development.
Other recommendations included providing training for women entrepreneurs and improving market access for their products, filling vacant posts at DNA laboratories and expanding daycare facilities for low-income working mothers.
Committee members and Women and Children Affairs Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, Rasheda Begum Hira, Anna Minj, Madhabi Marma, Fahima Nasrin, Nurunnisa Siddika, Sabikun Nahar and Mosammat Nusrat Tabassum Jyoti attended the meeting.
The secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, heads of various departments, directorates, agencies, academies and foundations under the ministry, senior officials and relevant officials of the Parliament Secretariat were also present.
