Dhaka: Adviser to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs, Sharmeen S Murshid, emphasized that the responsibility of ensuring postnatal care and development of children lies with everyone, as they are the cornerstone of a nation’s future. She made this statement during the inauguration of the two-day National ECD Conference 2025 at BRAC University, under the theme “Twelve Years of Integrated ECD Policy – Where Do We Stand?”.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sharmeen highlighted the government’s efforts in prioritizing free and compulsory education for children, meeting basic needs, ensuring equal opportunities, providing social protection, promoting public health, and upholding moral values as part of its governance. The inaugural session was chaired by Professor Syed Farhat Anwar, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University, and included speeches from Deepika Mehrish Sharma, Head of UNICEF Bangladesh’s Nutrition Section, Dr. Manzoor Ahmed, Chairperson of Bangladesh ECD Network, and Syeda Sazia Zaman, Member Secretary of the ECD.
Sharmeen stressed the importance of focusing on maternal and child health for the protection and rights of children, particularly in improving child nutrition. She noted the significance of good nutrition for children’s survival, cognitive development, and overall growth, and the role of the surrounding environment in ensuring access to nutritious food. She called for clear plans to support families in accessing nutrition, social protection services, and healthcare.
She identified several challenges contributing to inadequate childhood nutrition, including financial constraints, lack of parental awareness, aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods, and climate-related disasters affecting food production. Sharmeen also mentioned the impact of climate change on food availability and prices.
Emphasizing the importance of both prenatal and postnatal environments, Sharmeen called for increased public awareness about early childhood development at the family and societal levels. She concluded that the success of national ECD policies relies on the coordinated efforts of the government, families, communities, and international partners, urging all stakeholders to collaborate for the future generations’ advancement and Bangladesh’s progress.