STAFF CORRESPONDENT

The government plans to expand childcare and caregiving services across the country to support working families, address the needs of vulnerable groups, and create new employment opportunities, said Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain, minister for women and children affairs and social welfare.

He made the announcement yesterday at the National Care Conclave 2026, jointly organised by ILO, UN Women, and the Asian Development Bank, in coordination with the Ministries of Women and Children Affairs, Labour and Employment, and Social Welfare, at a city hotel.

The minister said daycare centres are already operating within ministry premises and in different parts of Dhaka with funding from both development and revenue budgets, and the government now plans to scale up these services.

“Very soon, we will expand beyond Dhaka to divisional headquarters and gradually to most districts,” he said.

“Within 180 days, we aim to cover some divisional headquarters and Dhaka, including facilities in hospitals and other institutions, to ensure accessible childcare for working parents.”

He added that the government is also working to strengthen support systems for persons with disabilities and the elderly.

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