The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is planning to introduce a nationwide childcare initiative aimed at increasing women’s participation in the workforce and strengthening Bangladesh’s economic growth.

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman announced the plan Thursday in a post on his verified Facebook profile, stressing that no woman in Bangladesh should have to choose between her family and her future.

Citing the 2024 Labour Force Survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Tarique noted that only 43 percent of women participate in the labour market, compared to 80 percent of men — a gap that reflects the loss of national potential and productivity.

Our goal is to build a modern, people-centred Bangladesh where women can pursue careers and education without being held back by inadequate childcare,” he said.

Under the proposed initiative, the BNP envisions:

• Establishing daycare centres in all public universities

• Gradually expanding daycare facilities to government offices

• Making daycare mandatory for large private institutions and factories

• Offering tax incentives and CSR credits to employers providing childcare

• Introducing training and certification for caregivers under the Ministry of Women and Children’s Affairs

Tarique Rahman argued that childcare is not charity but a critical part of socio-economic infrastructure. “Just as roads connect markets, daycare connects women to opportunity,” he wrote.

He cited findings from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and International Labour Organization (ILO), which show that factories with childcare services have higher employee retention, lower absenteeism, and can recover costs within a year.

The BNP believes the reform could help raise women’s employment, increase family incomes, and potentially add up to 1 percent to Bangladesh’s GDP.

We reject any regressive idea that limits women’s potential,” Tarique added. “Empowering women through childcare, equal pay, and workplace safety is not only fairness — it’s smart economics.”

He said the BNP’s broader vision is to build an inclusive trillion-dollar economy by 2034, creating millions of jobs and ensuring that every citizen — especially women — contributes to the nation’s progress with pride.