Manusher Jonno Foundation welcomes the Finance Adviser’s statement on recognising women’s unpaid work in the budget speech

Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) extends its heartiest Congratulations and deep appreciation to the Honorable Finance Advisor for committing to accord formal recognition to women’s unpaid care work during his budget speech 2025 – 2026. He further announced that formal recognition would be accorded by including women’s unpaid care work in the GDP.

Responding to the announcement, MJF’s Executive Director, Shaheen Anam, said in a statement that recognising women’s household and care work in the national budget is crucial for achieving inclusive economic growth and gender equality in Bangladesh. Traditional economic indicators often render women’s significant contributions through unpaid domestic labour virtually invisible.

“Manusher Jonno Foundation has been advocating for institutional recognition of women’s unpaid work for the last 15 years. The declaration in the budget speech to determine the value of this work and incorporate it into national income or GDP is a historic step. It can be done through the satellite account. This recognition will enhance the dignity of women, change negative attitudes towards them and ensure their participation in decision-making, which will ultimately help reduce violence against them both at home and in society,” she added.

A Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) survey commissioned by MJF states the value of unpaid care work is 2.5 to 2.9 times higher than women’s income from paid labour.

MJF believes that recognising this work is a step toward achieving equal rights and advancing women's rights, which will ultimately support Bangladesh’s efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). The implementation of this budgetary announcement will take Bangladesh a step closer to building an inclusive, just, and equitable society.