Unicef calls to allocate one-fifth of National Budget for Children

The call was made at the launch of “Shishuder Budget Patth Shohaika”, a child friendly version of the national budget of Bangladesh, prepared jointly by the Finance Division and UNICEF Bangladesh. The publication was launched by Chief Guest, Mr. Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Finance in the presence of Mr. M A Mannan, Honourable State Minister, Ministry of Finance; Ms. Nasima Begum, ndc, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Children Affairs; Mr. Mahbub Ahmed, Secretary, Finance Division and Mr. Edouard Beigbeder, Representative, UNICEF Bangladesh at the CIRDAP conference hall in Dhaka. “It is now increasingly acknowledged that children hold the key to development. No investment will be more effective and efficient than to invest in children to give them a good start in life,” said Beigbeder. While urging the government to increase the proportion of national budget allocation for child-related initiatives, Beigbeder also suggested the establishment of a permanent Child Focus Budget Unit at the Finance Division to provide technical support to all other relevant ministries/agencies. Seven ministries, including the Ministry of Education, are set to receive assistance in this regard. The publication has been prepared to increase awareness of the public finance processes among adolescent boys and girls and the impact it has on their well-being.