CARE is a multi-sectoral advocacy and engagement initiative that integrates research, policy dialogue, and coalition-building to advance a unified national childcare agenda.
Researchers: Munshi Sulaiman; James Ward Khakshi, Ferdousi Khanom; Raisa Adiba
Partners: BRAC Institute of Educational Development (BRAC IED), Early Childhood Development Action Network (ECDAN)
Timeline: 2025-2027
Status: Ongoing
Contact: Raisa Adiba; raisa.adiba@bracu.ac.bd
Context
Despite rising demand from urbanization and women’s labour force participation, Bangladesh faces a persistent shortage of affordable, high-quality childcare, particularly for low-income working families. While policies such as the ECCD Policy (2013), Labour Act provisions, and the Daycare Centre Act (2021) signal increasing political commitment, major gaps remain in enforcement, investment, coordination, and recognition of childcare providers. Fragmented advocacy across early childhood, gender, and labour movements continues to constrain systemic progress.
Objective
The purpose of this initiative is to reposition childcare as a core pillar of the care economy in Bangladesh by advancing coordinated, evidence-based advocacy that links early childhood development, women’s economic empowerment, and workers’ rights.
Methodology
Through evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and coordinated advocacy, the initiative brings together actors across diverse sectors such as early childhood development, women’s economic empowerment, and labour to develop a shared strategy for scaling quality childcare, cultivating policy champions within the government and civil society, promoting social recognition and decent work for childcare providers, and supporting the integration of childcare into national development and labour policies.
Findings and Recommendations
Forthcoming.
