I-7 Is there collaboration with other agencies of the United Nations System or other partners?
No
II-1 Justification of the initiative
Women’s disproportionate burden of unpaid care work, including household chores, significantly limits their participation in the labour market. A 2021 Time Use Survey in Bangladesh found that women spend between 5 and 7 times more hours on unpaid care work than men. In 2024, an ILO study on childcare in Bangladesh revealed that 54 per cent of working parents think that the lack of accessible, affordable and quality childcare facilities is a major barrier for women to enter and remain in the workforce. Also,18 per cent of the parents reported having left their jobs at some point due to their childcare responsibilities.Recognizing this issue, the Government of Bangladesh also identified the absence of a clear regulatory framework as a barrier to the establishment and functioning of childcare services.
II-10 Focus on other branches of economic activity
Public administration and defence, compulsory social security
II-10 Focus on other branches of economic activity
Education
II-11 Focus on certain categories of enterprises or economic units according to their size
Not applicable
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Employees
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Employers
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Own-account workers
II-12 Focus on specific status in employment
Workers not classifiable by status
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Domestic workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Childcare workers (for children ages 0-start of primary school)
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Other education workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Other health workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Home-based workers
II-13 Focus on other specific categories of workers and employers, not captured elsewhere
Employers of care workers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Women
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Men
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Mothers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Fathers
II-14 Focus on specific groups of population / persons prioritized in the initiative
Persons with other care responsibilities
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?
Yes, through social dialogue
II-15 Has the initiative been developed through effective social dialogue processes and inter-institutional coordination mechanisms?
Yes, inter-institutional coordination mechanisms
II-2 Objectives and description of the initiative
The objective of the National Roadmap for Childcare is to organise and improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of childcare services in Bangladesh across all models of childcare. It aims at promoting childcare as a standardised service that supports and empowers women, whilst promoting a professionalized childcare sector, with decent work opportunities.
II-3 Type of initiative
Policy / strategy
II-3 Type of initiative
Plan / roadmap
II-3 Type of initiative
Training/capacity building
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?
Recognition, reduction and redistribution of unpaid care
II-4 Which of the Rs in the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work guides this initiative?
Reward care workers
II-5 Which is the main policy area of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Care policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Employment policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Skills policies
II-6 Which other policy areas of the 5R Framework for Decent Care Work does the practice focus on?
Labour Protection policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Design and implement integrated and coherent care policies and systems for decent work and gender equality
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Mainstream care into relevant public policies
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Promote employment and macroeconomic policies that create decent jobs in the care economy
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Formalization of informal care jobs and enterprises
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Promoting active labour market policies, education and training, upskilling and re-skilling, skills recognition and skills certification
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Addressing the undervaluation of care work by raising public awareness
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Addressing the unequal gender distribution of paid and unpaid work, and promoting women’s economic inclusion and autonomy beyond caregiving
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Work-life balance policies and measures, including organization, time and location of work, and other terms and conditions of employment
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Invest in and make available high-quality, affordable, adequate and accessible care services, including childcare, health care and long-term care
II-7 Which policies or measures to advance decent work in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Policies and strategies on working time, wages, and occupational safety and health, including preventing and addressing violence and harassment
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Unpaid carers (workers or persons with care responsibilities, parents, other family members, etc.)
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Paid care workers (nurses, domestic workers, teachers, childcare workers, personal assistants, etc.)
II-8 Which beneficiaries in the care economy does the practice focus on?
Care recipients (children, older persons, persons with disabilities, etc.)
II-9 Geographical scope
Urban
III-1 In a short paragraph, summarize the main results and impacts obtained
The adoption of the National Childcare Roadmap marks a significant milestone, establishing a ‘whole-of-government’ and ‘whole-of-society’ approach to creating an accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare system over the next 10 years. While its full impact will be assessed later, the roadmap aims to expand access to quality childcare, particularly for low- and middle-income families, and strengthen governance through a clear regulatory framework.
III-2 Explanation of the innovative element of the initiative for advancing decent work in the care economy
The innovative element of this initiative resides in its comprehensive and “whole-of-government” approach. The National Roadmap for Childcare was the result of a consultative and evidence-based process, focusing on several key pillars, including:The overall governance and monitoring mechanisms to regulate the childcare sector.The quality and safety aspects, including working conditions of childcare workers.The skills, training and certification processes.
IV-1 What were the main challenges or difficulties during the design and implementation? How were they faced/ addressed?
The main challenges were posed by the changes in leadership and the ministerial reshuffling of officials, combined with political unrest in the country. This caused delays in the process towards the adoption of the National Roadmap for Childcare. Despite general interest from the constituents, gender and childcare were largely perceived as solely a ‘women’s issue ’, rather than key labour outcomes. To address this challenge, awareness-raising, advocacy, and capacity-building efforts have been undertaken to promote a broader understanding of shared responsibility among national institutional stakeholders in advancing the care agenda and related benefits for the society as a whole.
IV-2 Lessons learned and good practices, including room and opportunities for improvement
Developing a comprehensive narrative and rationale, supported by evidence and analysis, is essential to highlight the specific gaps and issues that the National Roadmap intends to address and to strategize effectively.A National Roadmap on Childcare requires the endorsement and involvement of multiple Ministries. A clear mapping of stakeholders, their engagement and the development of synergies is key to avoid duplications and overlapping interventions.
IV-3 Key conditions for success
Full ownership and coordination of the policy process by the lead ministry and buy-in by the whole government.
IV-4 Key conditions for sustainability
Generate ownership of the ministry and relevant stakeholders to advance the agenda beyond the period of external technical assistance and financial support.
IV-5 Potential for transferability, expansion and replicability in other countries and contexts
High potential for transferability and replication, when the lessons learned and key conditions for success and sustainability are taken into account.
V-1 Sources of information and documents used on the characteristics of the initiative, including links to websites, news items, toolkits, policy documents or reports
Government of Bangladesh launch Roadmap for Childcare in BangladeshCare Work and Care Jobs: Prerequisites for Decent Work and Social JusticeILO Bangladesh organises National Care AcademyStrengthening childcare services in Bangladesh: Building a skilled and certified workforce