A review of the government’s first 180 days has found gaps in implementing its election manifesto commitments on women’s and children’s rights, with speakers calling for stronger political commitment, clearer implementation plans and regular accountability.
The review identified shortcomings in implementation planning, prevention of child marriage and child labor, health financing, inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), protection of marginalized groups and regular accountability.
At the same time, progress was noted in areas including budget allocations, school feeding, health service initiatives, expansion of one-stop crisis centers and disability allowance measures.
The findings were presented at a discussion titled “From Commitment to Implementation: The Government’s 180 Days in Protecting the Rights of Women and Children,” organized by the Coalition for Advancing Equality and Justice at Hotel Lakeshore in Gulshan on Wednesday.
The review covered five areas: education; health and nutrition; protection from violence; climate risk and WASH; and diversity and inclusion.
Presenting the keynote, Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, Lead for Youth and Social Cohesion at Manusher Jonno Foundation, and Rowshon Akhter Urmee, Gender Justice and Social Inclusion Specialist at Oxfam in Bangladesh, outlined the progress and gaps identified in the review.
They recommended faster action on an anti-discrimination law, stronger measures to prevent child marriage and child labor, curriculum reform, health insurance, inclusive WASH systems, manifesto-based budgeting and regular reviews of progress.
Opening the discussion on behalf of the coalition, Kabita Bose, Country Director of Plan International Bangladesh, said the coalition was formed by seven national and international organizations ahead of the 13th National Parliamentary Election to bring women’s and children’s rights more prominently into political and development discussions.
The coalition had submitted evidence-based recommendations to 14 political parties, she said, noting that women, children, girls and young people often receive less priority in election manifestos.
“Investment in women and children should not be seen as charity, but as a rights-based and strategic development priority,” Bose said.
She said the coalition wanted to work with the government and other stakeholders to review progress, identify gaps and support implementation of the commitments.
Political representation
During the panel discussion, BNP reserved-seat MP Anna Minj said women elected through reserved seats were active and capable, but their direct political representation remained constrained by party structures, nomination barriers, election costs and online harassment.
She said the 33% target for women’s participation had not yet been fully implemented and argued that meaningful inclusion should begin within political parties through greater representation of women and other marginalized groups.
Dr Nazneen Ahmed, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue, identified financial capacity, priority setting and governance as key challenges.
“Women need equity, not just equality, because years of policy gaps have kept them behind,” she said.
Nazneen also called for initiatives such as the Pink Bus service to be reviewed after several months to determine whether they were reducing harassment or creating new barriers for women.
Dr Md Shafiqul Islam Masud, Jamaat-e-Islami MP from Patuakhali-2, said women’s and children’s rights required political unity, safe workplaces, improved healthcare, childcare support and faster access to justice.
Many incidents of violence may remain unreported because victims fear retaliation or cannot afford legal action, he said, calling on political parties to take a zero-tolerance position on violence against women and children.
Nusrat Tabassum Jyoti, a reserved-seat MP from the National Citizens Party, said women and children continued to face insecurity at home, in public spaces, online and while seeking justice.
She stressed the need to ensure nutritious food for women and girls from childhood and called for stronger protection against violence, clearer safeguards in cyber laws and measures to address deepfake-based abuse.
Climate vulnerability
Md Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive of the Centre for Participatory Research and Development, said climate change was affecting women and children beyond the immediate impacts of cyclones, river erosion and heatwaves.
He pointed to waterlogging, crop losses, migration, child labor, school dropout and poverty as interconnected consequences of climate vulnerability.
He called for human-centered climate planning, stronger governance of climate finance and greater integration of climate action into national development planning.
Govt response
Speaking as chief guest, State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj thanked the coalition for reviewing manifesto commitments and maintaining public scrutiny of political pledges.
He said democratic politics should be based on merit, public service and people’s trust rather than muscle power.
“We must stop dividing ourselves and work together to build a society where women are recognized not only by family roles of being someone’s daughter, mother or wife, but by their own identity and contribution,” Hajjaj said.
He also said temporary measures such as reserved parliamentary seats and Pink Bus services might remain necessary until equal rights and opportunities were ensured.
However, the ultimate goal should be a society where women could participate safely, directly and with dignity, he said.
Hajjaj said the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education was working to strengthen monitoring of primary schools, madrasas and other educational institutions.
The ministry was also planning to pilot free sanitary supplies and awareness programs for adolescent girls and support education infrastructure in haor and other remote areas, he added.
Anil Pant, Country Director of Oxfam in Bangladesh, delivered the vote of thanks.
The Coalition for Advancing Equality and Justice comprises Breaking the Silence, JAAGO Foundation, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Oxfam in Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh, Save the Children in Bangladesh and WaterAid Bangladesh.
