State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira said on Tuesday said day-care centres are creating opportunities for working mothers to function at their workplaces in a safe and secure atmosphere.
She made the remark while addressing at the inauguration of a day-care centre at the Multipurpose Hall at the head office of Special Branch (SB) of police at Malibagh in the capital.
“The presence of so many working mothers here proves that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership and work plan has created extensive economic empowerment and employment for the country’s women in the last one and a half decades,” she added.
Such employment is created not only in the divisional cities, but also at the district and upazila levels, she mentioned.
The state minister further said that the joint family system is gradually declining in Bangladesh and the number of single families is constantly increasing.
Many mothers do not join the workforce despite having qualifications. If there are quality day-care centres, they will join the job.
The need for day-care centres is increasing day by day to provide safe and institutional care for their children in a quality atmosphere,
she continued. Considering these realities, the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs is enacting and implementing the ‘Day-Care Centre Act, 2021' with the aim of providing safe and secure environment for working mothers and safety and security to children.
Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun and Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs MdHasanuzzamanKallol were present as special guests in the inauguration ceremony.
Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun said that the government is sensitive enough towards children. Various initiatives are being implemented to ensure their proper development. Day-care centres have been established, considering the need of the children of working mothers.
The IGP said that the Prime Minister has announced plans to build a developed and prosperous Smart Bangladesh. Smart citizens are needed for smart Bangladesh. Ensuring proper development of children is paramount in building smart citizens.
He requested the authorities concerned to construct government buildings with facilities for setting up day-care centres.
The IGP thanked all those involved in setting up the day care centre at the Special Branch Building of the Bangladesh Police.
IGP Md. Monirul Islam said, to move the country forward and materialise Bangabandhu's dream of Sonar Bangla, employment should be created for both men and women. Women will be able to fulfil their duties safely if they have the facility of day care centre in the office and workplace.
Special Branch DIG Amena Begum gave the welcome address. Project Director ShabnamMostari highlighted the various benefits of the day-care centre.
Special Branch Additional Superintendent of Police MahmudaAmatullah spoke on behalf of the parents.
Director General of the Directorate of Women's Affairs, Farida Parveen, and Additional Secretary Roshan Ara Begum, along with officials of various levels of the Ministry and Bangladesh Police were present.
