Cut in women, child development allocation alarming: Khushi Kabir

Cut in women, child development allocation alarming: Khushi Kabir

The reduction in allocation for women and child development in the proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year is alarming, said human rights and development activist Khushi Kabir.

In her reaction after the budget was placed in the National Parliament on Thursday, June 11, she said consistent and strong allocation is necessary for the ministry to sustain the progress achieved in establishing gender equality. A cut in allocation could hamper that progress.

According to the budget proposal, the allocation for the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been reduced by Tk 371 crore compared to the revised budget of the current fiscal year.

Khushi Kabir said allocations and initiatives for women in every sector must be clearly spelled out. Issues such as women's safety and participation in education, health, transport, infrastructure, and all other sectors should be reflected in the budget.

She said if safe roads and adequate infrastructure are absent, women's participation in education and employment remains hindered, making effective development difficult.

With half of the country's population being women, sustainable development is not possible without ensuring their education, employment, safety and empowerment, she added. She questioned why the allocation for the women and child development ministry has been reduced, and whether alternative programmes for women have been included in other sectors.