Urgent investment in care economy needed to reduce inequality: Experts

Policymakers and development partners have called for urgent and structured investment in Bangladesh's care economy, saying it is essential for expanding women's employment, reducing inequality, and ensuring inclusive growth.

The call came at the National Care Conclave 2026, jointly organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, and the Asian Development Bank, in collaboration with the women and children affairs, labour and employment, and social welfare ministries. 

The daylong event was held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon in Dhaka yesterday (23 April).

The conclave brought together government officials, policymakers, academics, workers' representatives, and civil society leaders to build consensus on strengthening care systems as a driver of economic growth and social justice.

Opening the event, Gitanjali Singh, Country Representative of UN Women Bangladesh, stressed the need to recognise, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work through public investment, saying it is central to women's economic participation and well-being.

In keynote presentations, experts from the ILO and ADB said investments in childcare, long-term care, and family-friendly labour policies could significantly transform Bangladesh's labour market.

They estimated that universal investment in early childhood care, education, and elderly care could generate over seven million jobs by 2035 while narrowing gender gaps in employment and income.

A ministerial dialogue, moderated by Max Tunon, country director of the ILO Office in Bangladesh. 

The discussion focused on aligning national priorities with investments in childcare services, care infrastructure, labour protections, and skills development.

Summarising the session, Tunon said transforming care from an "invisible private burden" into a public policy priority would unlock a key driver of economic growth and gender equality.

Speakers also referred to the Beijing+30 Action Agenda, calling for stronger investment in social protection and care systems. 

They noted that women globally perform more than 2.5 times unpaid care work than men, while in Bangladesh the figure is 7.3 times, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

Despite its importance, unpaid care work remains excluded from GDP calculations and is largely absent from national economic planning. Paid care work is also undervalued, limiting women's access to better employment opportunities.

Bangladesh is facing rising care demands, with 6.3 million children under five lacking adequate childcare services, 16.5 million elderly people requiring support, and 4.6 million persons with disabilities in need of care. Care responsibilities remain largely household-based, with women bearing most of the burden, contributing to "time poverty" and restricting labour force participation, which stands at 38.4%, below the global average.

Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain said caregiving must be recognised as a shared social responsibility rather than being placed solely on women.

State Minister Farzana Sharmin called for formal recognition of the care sector and greater investment, along with efforts to break social stigma surrounding care work.

Government initiatives highlighted at the conclave include expanding daycare centres, scaling up elderly and disability care services, and developing a skilled caregiving workforce, including training support for overseas employment.