"Bangladeshi and Swedish Baba," the photo exhibition inspired by Swedish photographer Johan Bävman, featured many of the "babas" whose voices echoed this reflection— We say we love our children more than anything. We dream of giving them a better life, a better world. We cheer them on at school plays, celebrate their birthdays, and promise that the future is theirs. And yet, when it comes to shaping the future, really shaping it, we don't walk the talk.

The images exhibited tell stories of love, commitment, and the quiet but powerful shifts in attitude towards fatherhood. Through words and experiences, one question emerges: if we adore our children and want the best for them, why are we, as a society, still holding on to outdated ideas about what it means to be a father?

How often do fathers truly assume responsibilities beyond the provider role? Society still tells fathers that their job is to earn, and to be the pillar of financial stability. But when did fatherhood become a paycheck rather than a presence? Many of the fathers in the exhibition shared how they once thought caregiving was a mother's duty, until they stepped into it themselves and realised the deep, life-changing bond that comes with being fully involved with your children.

Read more

Gender equality is the investment we need to make

Many societies admire the fathers who change diapers, take their children to school, cook dinner—not because it should be remarkable, but because it still feels like an exception. Why? Because we are told—from generation to generation—that certain roles belong to men and others to women. That fathers "help", but mothers "raise". That fathers' involvement is optional, while mothers' is expected.

But let us flip that script for a moment. What if real fatherhood meant being fully present? What if being a great "baba" was not just about playing the hero in big moments but in the small, everyday ones—listening, teaching, standing up against inequality and injustice. Perhaps then, our sons and daughters can grow up in a world where roles are not decided by gender, but by capacity, effort, and dedication.

This is not just about personal choices; it is about societal transformation. Research highlights that involved fathers help shift established gender norms and that children who grow up seeing their fathers equally engaged in caregiving are less likely to reinforce rigid gender roles as adults. The first ever Time Use Survey (TUS)—a statistical survey that measures how people spend their time—in Bangladesh reveals that women perform 7.6 times more domestic work than men. This is more than just a number—it reflects the barriers that limit opportunities and outcomes for women and girls in education, employment, leadership, and financial security throughout their lives.

In addition, when men share unpaid care work, women have greater opportunities to pursue education and employment—strengthening families and economies alike. Research by the International Labour Organization shows that closing the gender gap in labour force participation could boost gross domestic product (GDP) by over 30 percent in countries like Bangladesh.

Read more

The most pervasive human rights violation

Fathers influence the way their children see relationships and understand respect and fairness. If we want a more equal world, we have to start at home. We can teach our sons that strength is not dominance, and we can show our daughters that they deserve the same opportunities as their brothers. But we can only do that if we step up, if we break the cycle of outdated expectations.

The young generation is watching. They learn from what we do more than what we say. If we want them to believe in equality, we have to live and exemplify it. If we want them to thrive in a more just world, we have to help build it—starting with the way we father.

So, the question is: what kind of future do we really want for our children? And what are we willing to do, as fathers, to make it happen? Bangladesh stands at a crucial moment where shifting social norms can redefine the roles of men in caregiving and beyond.

The "Bangladeshi and Swedish Baba" photo exhibition will have its final show in Dhaka at the Drik Gallery after travelling across Bangladesh, where it has sparked dialogues and reflections on gender stereotypes, while demonstrating how active fatherhood can be a transformative force for positive social change and substantive equality.

Nicolas Weeks is Swedish ambassador to Bangladesh.

Gitanjali Singh is representative of UN Women in Bangladesh.

Stefan Liller is the resident representative at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh.

Masaki Watabe is representative for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Bangladesh.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own. 

Follow The Daily Star Opinion on Facebook for the latest opinions, commentaries and analyses by experts and professionals. To contribute your article or letter to The Daily Star Opinion, see our guidelines for submission.