Maternity Protection in Bangladesh Protection in Bangladesh Prof. Dr. S. K. Roy MBBS, M. Sc (Human Nutrition), Dip-in-Biotech, Ph D (London), FRCP (Edin) Chairperson, BOT Bangladesh Breastfeeding Foundation

Contents: Present status in Bangladesh Maternity protection in Bangladesh Case study-1 (Government sector) Case study-2 (Non Government sector) Program taken by BBF on WBW 2015

Present status in Bangladesh

In Bangladesh full 6 months (24 weeks) paid maternity leave is being practiced in the public sector from January, In 2011 Honorable Prime Minister requested private sector to increase the maternity leave to 6 months. 24 Day care center in Dhaka city and 14 in other districts were established with the support of Ministry of Women and Child Affairs (MOWCA) and Women’s Directorate. 361 Breastfeeding Corner and IMCI was established in Public hospitals and in Upazilla Health Complex. 361 Lactation Management Centre was established. Present situation

Case study of Formal Sectors

A female high level employee of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) named Laila Banu. She started working there since 2008 in the post of Deputy Secretary. After completion of her post graduation, she joined in the job. About 4 months later she got married. She was very happy being newly married as well as having job. By next three months, she got pregnant. This good news made her happy as she was assumed in the job. Unfortunately she faced several problems during her pregnancy and mentally she was upset. During her first trimester she faced several physical problems and her office gave her support with 1 month medical leave. 1 month later she began to come to office and continued her work and the office environment supported her to do her duties.

After 9 months of pregnancy she delivered a baby boy of 3 kilogram body weight. Office provided her 6 months paid maternity leave. For this she was able to continue exclusive breastfeeding. After six months, she gave her appropriate complementary feeding. After joining, office provided her more than 5 times breastfeeding break and transport facilities so that she can come to the office with the baby along with an attendant. The office has their Day care centre so she could keep her child there and the attendant took care of the baby. She completed all the vaccines to the baby and time to time checked his weight. He was growing well and did not suffer from any disease and remains always happy and playful. Now Laila Banu is very happy to have healthy baby and she is very grateful to her office for their continued support. Now she can pay more attention to her work to more productivity.

Facilities given by the Government organization: 1.Office provided her 6 months paid maternity leave 2.After joining, office provided her more than 5 times breastfeeding break 3.Office gave the transport facilities so she could come to the office with the baby 4.The office has their Day care centre so she could keep her child there

Day Care Centre of MOHFW

Case study-2 Informal Sector

“Termination of life of Nusrat Jahan” A female worker named Nusrat Jahan worked in a private organization. She started working there since 2009 in the post of Program Officer She was a very hard working and dedicated worker. By 2011 she was promoted to the position of Director as the authority found her as an excellent employee. “I don’t want to continue my job anymore.” She said to the office. In 2012 she got pregnant but she couldn’t complete her pregnancy period. She had several problems during her pregnancy and at last she delivered her baby at 6 month of pregnancy. But this baby was only 1200 g and too vulnerable. After 6 days the baby died. At that time she was completely lost. She decided not to continue her job because she was too upset for the death of her child. 1 month later the Chairperson influenced her to come to office, do some work to forget her sorrows. Then she came to office and the surrounding environment supported her to forget her sorrows and sufferings.

After 2 years she again conceived but faced the previous problems. But this time she was more conscious and the office also gave her more facilities (work from home) for the well being of herself and for the baby. At the month of 7 she delivered her second baby and this baby was 2000 g only. But this time she was mentally strong and paid more attention and took more care of the baby. Office provided her 6 months paid maternity leave. For this she was able to continue exclusive breastfeeding. After six months, she gave her appropriate complementary feeding. After joining, the office provide her more than 5 times breastfeeding break and also provide the complementary feeding facilities. The office has their crèche so she could keep her child there. Now the baby is near 8 months old and he is 7.5 kg. That indicates the baby had catch up the normal growth standard and he did not suffer from any disease and he remains always happy and playful. Now Nusrat Jahan is very happy to have a normal baby and she is very grateful to her office for their continued support. Now she is mentally very calm and quiet and can pay more attention to her work.

Facilities given by the Informal sectors 1.Work from home facility 2.Office provided 6 months paid maternity leave 3.Office provide more than 5 times breastfeeding break 4.Office also provided the complementary feeding facilities 5.The office had crèche facility so she could keep her child there.

Day Care Centre of BBF

Activities taken by MOHFW, IPHN & BBF on WBW 2015

 Seminar in Government and Non Government bank, school, at all district level ; Upazila/Community Clinic & Ward level-Orientation of UP Chairman & members; Orientation of Media Personal in all district on importance of maternity protection  Discussion meeting will be held at ministry with BGMEA & FBCCI to ensure maternity protection in their organization.  To work with IYCF strategies in all city corporations.  BBF is providing technical support to any organization regarding maternity support.