Health and Family Welfare Advisor Nurjahan Begum has said that working men can get paternity leave, but it should come with three specific conditions. She explained her views during a workshop at CIRDAP auditorium, organized to mark World Breastfeeding Week. Other experts also discussed the challenges of breastfeeding in Bangladesh, the decline in breastfeeding rates, and the need for facilities like milk banks.
Paternity Leave Can Be Given with Conditions
At the workshop, Nurjahan Begum shared her thoughts about introducing paternity leave for working men.
She said:
“মাতৃকালীন ছুটির সাথে পিতৃকালীন ছুটির কথা বলা হচ্ছে। বাবারা শিশুদেরকে ঠিক মত সময় প্রদান করলে পিতৃত্বকালীন ছুটি দেওয়া যায়। তবে এজন্য তিনটি শর্ত মানতে হবে।”
Translation: “Along with maternity leave, paternity leave is being discussed. If fathers can properly give time to their children, then paternity leave can be granted. But for that, three conditions must be fulfilled.”
According to her, the three conditions are:
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Fathers must spend quality time with their children.
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Fathers must equally participate in childcare.
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Fathers must take care of the mother as well.
She added:
“একজন পিতা কতক্ষণ বাচ্চাকে দেখেছেন, বাচ্চার প্যাড পরিষ্কার করেছেন, মায়ের সেবা করছেন-এসব লিখিতভাবে দিতে পারলে আমি রাজি আছি।”
Translation: “If a father can give written proof of how long he took care of the child, cleaned the baby’s pad, and looked after the mother, then I agree to paternity leave.”
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Importance of Mother’s Health
Nurjahan Begum stressed that a mother’s health directly affects the child’s health and breastfeeding.
She said that many mothers in Bangladesh cannot eat proper nutritious food because of poverty. According to government statistics, the poverty rate is between 20% and 25%, but private studies show it is even higher.
“মায়ের স্বাস্থ্য ভালো থাকলে বাচ্চা দুধ পাবে।”
Translation: “If the mother’s health is good, then the baby will get milk.”
She also highlighted the importance of family support for mothers.
“পরিবারে সবাই সবার খোঁজ নিতে হবে। বউয়ের খোঁজ নিতে হবে শাশুড়িকে, আবার শাশুড়ির খোঁজ নিতে হবে বউকে। আমাদেরকে সেবা নিতে জানি, সেবা দিতে জানি কম।”
Translation: “In a family, everyone must care for each other. A mother-in-law should care for her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law should care for the mother-in-law. We know how to receive care, but we do not know well how to give care.”
Breastfeeding Rate Declining in Bangladesh
The health advisor also mentioned that breastfeeding rates in Bangladesh are declining.
In 2017–2018, the rate of mothers exclusively breastfeeding for the first six months was 65%. But by 2022, this number dropped to 58%. Similarly, the percentage of children aged 6–23 months staying close to their mothers was 35% in 2017–2018, but it fell to 29% in 2022.
Why the Rate Is Dropping
Dr. Saria Tasnim explained the reasons behind the declining breastfeeding rate.
She said:
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There are no regular nationwide campaigns on breastfeeding methods and benefits.
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The BMS Law 2013 and the BBIM Regulations 2017 are often violated, and no action is taken.
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Working mothers either get limited maternity leave or none at all.
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Workplaces do not provide opportunities to breastfeed or store milk.
“কর্মস্থলে যোগদানের জন্য মায়েরা খুব দ্রুত শিশুকে বুকের দুধ খাওয়ানো বন্ধ করে গুঁড়োদুধ খাওয়ান।”
Translation: “To return to work, many mothers stop breastfeeding very early and switch to formula milk.”
Experts’ Views on the Issue
Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain, Director General of the Health Education Directorate, also spoke at the workshop.
He said:
“মায়ের সঙ্গে মাতৃদুগ্ধের সম্পর্ক নিবিড়। বাংলাদেশে দিনে দিনে শিশুকে মাতৃদুগ্ধ খাওয়ানোর হার কমে যাচ্ছে। সময়ের সঙ্গে সঙ্গে শিশুকে কৃত্রিম খাবার খাওয়ানোর হার বাড়ছে।”
Translation: “The relationship between a mother and breast milk is very close. In Bangladesh, the rate of breastfeeding is declining day by day, while artificial feeding is increasing over time.”
Demand for Milk Bank in Bangladesh
Dr. Mujibur Rahman, the entrepreneur behind the idea of a milk bank, shared his struggles in setting it up. He has been trying for a long time, but religious concerns have prevented its approval.
He made an emotional appeal:
“বাংলাদেশে মায়ের বুকের দুধ না পেয়ে অনেক মা-হারা নবজাতক মারা যাচ্ছে। মিল্ক ব্যাংক হলে এসব নবজাতকেরা আপনার জন্য দোয়া করবে।”
Translation: “In Bangladesh, many motherless newborns are dying because they cannot get breast milk. If we had a milk bank, these newborns would pray for you.”
The workshop was attended by Health Education Department Secretary Dr. Sarwar Bari, BBF Chairman Professor S.K. Roy, and representatives from various institutions.
Source: Daily Amar Desh
