Gender budget shrinks, concerns raised over women’s development

Despite ongoing challenges for women in employment, education, health, and safety, the national budget for FY2025–26 has seen a reduction in allocations for promoting gender equality and women's development.

Rights activists warn that this rollback threatens to reverse progress and stall efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The gender budget has dropped to Tk 260,767 crore, down from Tk 271,818.6 crore in FY2024–25. As a share of the total budget, it now stands at 33 percent, falling from 34 percent last year.

Its proportion of GDP has also declined to 4.2 percent, compared to 4.86 percent previously, raising fresh doubts about the government's commitment to closing gender gaps in key sectors.

Decline in key allocations

The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) has seen its budget drop to Tk 5,078 crore, down from Tk 5,222 crore in the previous fiscal year.

Three out of four key thematic areas of gender-relevant spending have also seen declines:

Women's Empowerment and Social Status: Tk 62,535.9 crore, down from Tk 64,074.6 crore.

Effective Access to Public Services: Tk 36,177.9 crore, down from Tk 44,054.4 crore.

Education, Health, and Wellbeing: Tk 82,867.7 crore, down from Tk 86,894.4 crore.

Only Economic Participation and Equality saw a modest increase, rising to Tk 79,185.2 crore from Tk 76,841.7 crore.

Concerns over women's employment and safety

Critics argue that the budget cuts come at a time when Bangladesh is facing massive job losses among women, declining labour force participation, and shrinking access to essential services such as reproductive healthcare and education.

A recent CPD report found that Bangladesh lost 21 lakh jobs between July and December, with 85 percent of them held by women.

In the October–December 2024 quarter, women accounted for 92 percent of net job losses.

Overseas employment opportunities have also shrunk, with monthly female migrant departures falling from 8,789 in 2022 to 4,610 in 2025, according to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training.

Experts call for stronger implementation

In his budget speech on Monday, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed announced a Tk 125 crore special fund for women entrepreneurs.

However, experts stress that such measures must be backed by strong implementation frameworks.

Shahnaz Sumi, director at Bangladesh Nari Pragati Sangha, termed the reductions in gender budget and MoWCA funding as "unfortunate."

"There's no recognition of women as farmers, and the minimal increase in allowances doesn't reflect the rising cost of living," she said.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Fauzia Moslem echoed the concern, stating that reducing the budget while claiming to fight gender inequality is contradictory.

"Without targeted measures for security, employment, and education, women's economic participation will decline," she warned.

Transparency and accountability Issues

Experts also raised concerns over transparency, noting that only 16 out of 64 ministries included detailed schedules in this year's gender budget—a sharp drop from 44 ministries in FY2023–24.

Sharmind Neelormi, economics professor at Jahangirnagar University, argued that gender budgeting is more about intention than just numbers.

"Yes, the number of ministries submitting reports has grown, but its share within overall ministry budgets hasn't. So proportionately, there's no real gain," she said.

She further pointed to declines in access to public services, particularly in women's mobility, safety, and justice.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, criticised the budget for overlooking the challenges of marginalised women, particularly climate victims.

"Women suffer disproportionately during disasters, yet the budget fails to reflect that reality," she said.

Call for policy action

Women's Affairs Reforms Commission member Maheen Sultan also expressed concern over reduced allocations and MoWCA funding.

"But another major issue is the government's inability to fully utilise allocated funds. This itself signals failure," she said.

When asked whether the Women's Affairs Reforms Commission's recommendations could be implemented, she said, "To implement our recommendations, the necessary resources must be allocated."