The progress of the country would be accelerated if the unpaid care services of women at home could be translated into monetary value and these services included in the GDP.
Moreover, policy formulation at the state level is vital for cutting down of working hours and also lessening the burden of care services on women. But formulation of policies or enactment of laws might face the resistance of radicals unless measures are taken to change the mental set up of common people about the issues.
The role of media to aware people about the unpaid services as well as political commitment is very important. The religious establishments can also play an effective role in this regards.
Discussants made the above statements at an online dialogue on care services at home jointly organized by the Press Institute Bangladesh (PIB) and ActionAid Bangladesh on Wednesday (09 September). A total of 30 senior journalists from print, electronic and online media took part in the dialogue.
Tasmima Hossain, Editor of Daily Ittefaq and Khondaker Muniruzzaman, Acting Editor of Daily Sangbad, were the panel discussants of the dialogue with Zafar Wazed, Director General, PIB, in the chair. Md. Helal Uddin, South Asia Advocacy Coordinator, presented the keynote paper in the dialogue.
Tasmima Hossain in her speech mentioned that it was necessary to change the traditional mind set of our people about care services at home. The issues should be included in text book. Sensitizing journalists and religious leaders about the care work at home might give good result. Recognition of unpaid care work should be given through creating social acceptance.
Acting Editor of Daink Sangbad Khondaker Muniruzzaman said that there should be a social acceptability of those people who want to bring a change in the society. Resistance from the society might be an impediment to ensure women empowerment. For this reason society need to be made prepared.
While addressing the dialogue as the chair Zafar Wazed said women still are facing different forms of repression and harassment. Even in 21st century women are facing resistance to get recognition of their work and empowerment. Recognition of women’s care services need to be ensured through proper evaluation of their work and incorporating their services in GDP.
Country of ActionAid Bangladesh Farah Kabir in her welcome address said that people still are not respectful to work. There should be a change in the mind set up through power shift. Development of a country largely depends on the empowerment of women, she also said.
Md. Eleas Bhuiya, Director (Administration), Press Institute Bangladesh, delivered welcome address at the dialogue. The open discussion session addressed, among others, by Polash Ahsan, News Editor of Ekattor TV; Quddus Afrad, President of the Dhaka Union of Journalists; Rajib Noor, Special Correspondent of Samakal; Ruhul Amin Rusd, Senior News Editor of Bangla Vision; Mitul Mahmud, Manusher Jonno Foundation; Kawsar Rahman, City Editor of Dainik Janakantho; Mahfuza Jesmin, Special Correspondent of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangtha; Shihabur Rahman, Executive Editor of Bangladesh Post; Gazi Nasiruddin, Joint Editor of Daink Desh Rupantor; Komolesh Roy, Acting Editor of Dainik Somoyer Alo; Mir Mashruruzzaman, News Editor of Channel I; and Kamrunnahar Shova, Senior Correspondent of The Financial Express.