Dhaka: Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed today proposed allocating Taka 5,078 crore for the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs for fiscal year (FY) 2025-2026, which is Taka 38 crore higher than the allocation in the revised budget in FY 2024-2025.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the finance adviser presented the budget in a televised speech. Dr Ahmed emphasized the government’s aim to ensure women’s rights, protection, and economic independence. He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including accommodation facilities for 1,399 women and skill-based programs conducted through the National Academy for Women Training and Development, along with training provided at upazila-level centers.
The finance adviser noted that 10,455 women entrepreneurs have received training in various trades through the Joyeeta Foundation’s capacity-building project. Under the VWB programme, 20,000 selected women have been trained to promote empowerment and alleviate poverty. Additionally, 7,32,450 adolescents have been trained on preventing child marriage, gender-based violence, and issues related to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) through the adolescent clubs project.
Dr Salehuddin Ahmed also mentioned the establishment of a dedicated desk for women entrepreneurs in every branch of banks and financial institutions to enhance financial inclusion and create a business-friendly environment. A Tk 30,000 crore refinance scheme has been launched to facilitate easier access to loans for women entrepreneurs, allowing them to borrow up to Tk 25 lakh without collateral.
Furthermore, Dr Ahmed proposed a fund of Tk 125 crore for the next fiscal year to bolster the economic empowerment of women entrepreneurs by improving the business environment. He stated that approximately 40,000 children nationwide have received training in various cultural disciplines to support their physical, mental, and cultural development, fostering creativity, patriotism, and humanitarian values.
In addition, financial assistance has been extended to 84 families of child martyrs from the July Mass Uprising, with efforts underway to reintegrate injured children from the uprising into mainstream society. Child daycare centers currently serve 1,700 children, with another project servicing 1,200 children aged 6 months to 6 years across 20 daycare centers, Dr Ahmed added.