UNICEF partners with Bangladesh garment industry to support working mothers

Under the UNICEF-led Mothers@Work initiative, UNICEF and the Bangladesh Garments’ Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) will support factories to provide breastfeeding spaces and breaks.

The initiative will also ensure childcare facilities, paid maternity leave, cash benefits, health care, employment protection and a safe work environment for working mothers and pregnant women.

Evidence shows that paid time off, support for breastfeeding and antenatal services contribute to healthier children and happier families as well as gender equality, workforce productivity and sustainable economic growth, said a press release.

Bangladesh’s garment industry is the second largest clothing exporter in the world, contributing about 11 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Over half of the nearly 4 million people working in garment factories are women of reproductive age.

However, a 2018 UNICEF survey revealed gaps in the provision of breaks and private spaces for breastfeeding, which is critical to children’s health and development.

“Providing targeted support for women in the workforce and ensuring women can earn a living, while also having the needed support to care for their children, is critical for women and their children and is an investment that benefits all,” said Sheldon Yett, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.