Child domestic work: ‘Hazardous’ status hinges on demand from stakeholders
24 June 2026, 00:00 AM
The government is ready to classify domestic work as a hazardous occupation for children, but the stakeholders must submit a formal proposal for that to happen, said Md Abdus Samad Al Azad, director general of the Department of Labour.
24 June 2026, 00:00 AM
Bigger gender budget masks weak funding for women
18 June 2026, 00:00 AM
The government has proposed a gender-responsive budget of Tk 3,26,059.8 crore for FY2026-27, accounting for 34.8 percent of the national budget of Tk 9.38 lakh crore and 4.8 percent of GDP.
18 June 2026, 00:00 AM
World day against child labour: When abuse is hidden behind closed doors
12 June 2026, 00:00 AM
Despite mounting reports of abuse and exploitation, child domestic work remains widespread and excluded from Bangladesh’s list of hazardous occupations for children.
12 June 2026, 00:00 AM
9 in 10 child predators are familiar figures, report shows
22 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Around 66.12% of 124 child murders and 59.09% of 308 sexual abuse cases occurred inside the home or family environment
22 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Women farmers: Indispensable in fields but invisible in records
18 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Women's contribution remains largely unrecognised, leaving many excluded from farmer lists and government support
18 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Thirst in the land of water
16 May 2026, 00:00 AM
It is a coastline defined by water, an endless horizon where the sea meets the sky and waves roll as far as the eye can see.
16 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Mothers left to choose between home and work
3 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Despite long years of experience and proven performance, many women are unable to return to work after childbirth owing to the absence of flexible work arrangements and reliable support systems at home and at work.
3 May 2026, 00:00 AM
Abuse, exploitation haunt women migrant workers
18 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Abandoned by her husband, Rahima (not her real name), a mother of two, considered a broker’s offer of a job in Saudi Arabia as a lifeline.
18 April 2026, 00:00 AM
Time for action is now
On July 11, three under-five children drowned in two unions of Netrakona’s Kalmakanda upazila. The incident, however, was not highlighted in the media, as child drowning still remains one of the neglected and underreported issues in Bangladesh.
14 September 2021, 18:00 PM
Vaccination Drive: Are transgender people left out?
Getting tested and vaccinated for Covid-19 was no less than a trauma for Tanisha Yasmin Chaity, a young transwoman and a development worker based in Cox’s Bazar.
8 September 2021, 18:00 PM
Health disparities of transgender youth: Still left in the lurch
30-year-old Mugdha* a transgender woman of Rajshahi, still depends on traditional healers or dispensaries when she feels unwell, considering the disparities she faces at hospitals.
2 September 2021, 18:00 PM
Notarising child marriage!
Fatema Begum of Kalyanpur slum, locally known as the “Kalyanpur Pora Bosti”, got married to Md Mohsin in March, this year.
26 August 2021, 18:00 PM
Country’s lone human tissue bank serving in silence
When Shreyon Paul suffered a second-degree burn to his back, doctors at a local hospital were not sure if the nine-year-old would ever fully recover.
21 August 2021, 18:00 PM
Covid-19 Vaccine: A costly dilemma over pregnant women?
The government is yet to decide whether to vaccinate pregnant women despite a WHO recommendation to that end and an alarming rise in the number of pregnant Covid-19 patients.
31 July 2021, 18:00 PM
Never called back to work
A few weeks ago, the photo of 65-year-old Asiya Begum -- a house-help who was walking for two hours, wading through ankle-deep water, to reach her home at Hemayetpur from her employer’s house at the capital’s Lalmatia -- went viral on social media.
28 July 2021, 18:00 PM
World Drowning Prevention Day: Drowning remains dominant reason of child deaths
Contrary to popular belief, the most dominant cause children’s deaths in Bangladesh is not malnutrition or diarrhoea.
24 July 2021, 18:00 PM
‘Bhalo’ bridges gap for small cattle farmers
Two years ago, Obaidul Huq quit his teaching job at a private school in Dhaka out of frustration and decided to go back to his village home in Kurigram’s Buribari union.
19 July 2021, 18:00 PM
World Population Day: Sylhet wakes up to family planning
At 26, Bina Roy, a tea garden worker at Khejuri Tea Garden of Sreemangal upazila in Moulvibazar, is already a mother of four after getting married at 16.
10 July 2021, 18:00 PM
Evidence Act: Experts laud govt move to scrap section
Rights activists and legal experts welcomed Law Minister Anisul Huq’s announcement about removing from the Evidence Act a provision allowing “negative” remarks about the character of a rape victim in a rape case.
1 July 2021, 18:00 PM
They are called “untouchables”
26 years ago, a young Md Riajuddin came to Dhaka, from Mymensingh, to make a decent living.
28 June 2021, 18:00 PM
Activists, rights bodies incensed
The attitude of some lawmakers towards women has become a matter of great concern, said women’s rights activists as well as organisations working for women’s rights and empowerment yesterday.
14 June 2021, 18:00 PM
Ending Hazardous Child Labour: Tk 284cr project in a shambles
More than three years ago, the government had taken up a project with the aim of eliminating hazardous child labour from Bangladesh by 2020.
11 June 2021, 18:00 PM
Female Entrepreneurs: Stimulus schemes hardly reach them
Thirty-year-old Dipali Nokrek made a career out of doing one thing -- making people look beautiful.
9 June 2021, 18:00 PM
Tax rebate proposed for employing transgender people
To ensure employment, standard living, and social and economic integration of members of the transgender community in Bangladesh, the government has proposed to enact special tax incentives in the proposed budget for those who will employ transgender workers.
3 June 2021, 18:00 PM
Pandemic Impact on Women: Budget must reflect govt’s relief efforts
The Covid-19 pandemic has negatively affected women more than men in terms of monetary and other losses, economists and women rights activists say.
31 May 2021, 18:00 PM
Biodegradable Shaathi Pads: Helping Women and the Environment
Have you ever imagined how many disposable pads a menstruating woman or girl uses in a year or how much they actually cost?
27 May 2021, 18:00 PM
Safe motherhood day: New mothers skip check-ups for fear of Covid
Thirty-one-year-old Mushfika Akter, a teacher at a renowned school in the capital, is currently in her eighth month of unplanned pregnancy.
27 May 2021, 18:00 PM
Transgender volunteers winning hearts at DMCH
Holding a placard inscribed with “I am a volunteer. How can I help you?” Sagarika was waiting at the entrance of Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s Covid-19 unit. As soon as an ambulance arrived, she rushed towards it, helping the patient get off from the vehicle.
5 May 2021, 18:00 PM