Finance Minister AMA Muhith at his budget speech yesterday said the government would initiate positive steps to ensure gender equity across the economy.
“We want to bring women in the mainstream of economic development and good governance,” said the finance minister.
“For the first time I am presenting a separate statement before the parliament regarding the allocations that have been earmarked for women’s advancement for the ministries of education, social welfare, health and family welfare, and food and disaster management,” he said.
“We will reinstate women development policy formulated by the Awami League government in 1997,” said the finance minister adding, “We want women’s participation in national development, policy making, political, administrative, economic, social and cultural activities.”
The number of reserved seats for women in the parliament will be increased to 100 and direct election will be held against these seats, said Muhith at his budget speech in the parliament for the fiscal year 2009-10.
“We are going to incorporate gender and poverty related disaggregated data in the budget separately through the Medium Term Budget Framework,” the finance minister added.
He said women entrepreneurs would be given priority in providing credit. At least 15 percent of the allocation will be earmarked for them and the rate of interest to apply will be only 10 percent.
Allowances for the poor lactating mothers increased from Tk 50 to Tk 350. A total of Tk 33.60 crore will be spent for this purpose. Besides, a total of Tk 25 crore were proposed to launch a similar programme tilted ‘Allowance for lactating low-income working mothers in urban areas’.
Tk 70 crore for maternity health voucher scheme, Tk 173 crore for national nutrition programme and Tk 8.67 crore for national social welfare council will be allocated as grants.
The government has a plan to expand female education and ensure workplace security by creating maternity facilities and establishing workplace-based daycare centres for children.
Hostels for working women will be constructed at district headquarters as per demand, said the finance minister.
Allowances for the destitute women will be Tk 300 per person and Tk 331.20 crore will be allotted for the fiscal year which was Tk 61.20 crore in last fiscal year.
The government will also take different programmes for women and marginalised people to extend credit and training on social and skill development for women empowerment.
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