Prime Minister's wife and Vice President of  Ziaur Rahman Foundation Dr Zubaida Rahman today said that day-care centers are not just places to keep children safe, but are also important instruments in building the country's future. 

She said, "Due to the lack of quality day-care centers, working mothers and their children are facing multiple obstacles."

Dr Zubaida Rahman made the remarks while speaking at a workshop titled " Primary Care and Blooming of Children" as the Chief guest held at the Multipurpose Hall of the Pani Bhavan of the city. 

The Ministry of Women and Children affairs organized the workshop. 

Social Welfare and Women and Children affairs Minister Dr AZM Zahid Hossain presided over the event while Water Resources Minister Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, State Minister for Water Resources Forhad Hossain Azad and State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin spoke as the special guests. 

Photo: PID

Earlier, Dr Zubaida Rahman visited Government Children Family (Girl) in Tejgaon at 10:30 am, Children Day-care centre of Bhumi Bhaban at 11 am and the Children Day-care centre of Pani Bhaban at 11:30 am.

Dr Zubaida Rahman said,  "50.58 percent of Bangladesh's total population are women, and 28.36 percent of the total population are between the ages of 0 and 14 years."

Highlighting the necessity of day-care centers for working mothers, she recalled an experience from her school life and urged to increase the activities of the children day-care centers. 

Mentioning the present situation of the day-care centers,  She said, "Although the situation has improved somewhat, many working mothers still worry about childcare. Although 123 Child Development Centers provide care for 7,360 children, it is only sufficient for 0.34 percent of the total child population."

"As a result, many children are deprived of essential early childhood development activities, playing with peers, and opportunities to grow up healthily," she added. 

Dr. Zubaida Rahman further said that quality and universal pre-primary education and early childhood development will build a strong foundation for children's cognitive and social development.

Expressing gratitude towards the caregivers at day-care centers, she said, "Due to their humane and difficult responsibilities, numerous working mothers can work without worry, and children get the opportunity to grow up in a safe environment."

She added that childhood is the most important period of life. "During this time, the foundations of honesty, dedication, peace, education, culture, humanity, tolerance, discipline, curiosity, perseverance, and mutual respect are built," said Dr Zubaida. 

In this connection, she further added that caregivers are simultaneously performing the important duty of building the foundation for the country's future generation and creating opportunities for a large population of women to participate in the workforce.

Photo: PID

In his speech, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anne recalled the contribution of former Prime Minister and stateswoman Begum Khaleda Zia and said, "During her tenure, she had envisioned incorporating the day-care centers in various institutions.

We want to build a new generation by implementing her (Begum Khaleda Zia) vision, he said.

"When children get the opportunity to study and develop socially in a safe environment, they will become the main force in building the nation in future." he added. 

In his presidential speech, Dr AZM Zahid Hossain said, "These day-care centers are not only important for working mothers, but for every member of a working family. This initiative is essential to prepare children aged six months to six years to face future challenges."

He added that it is not possible to open 100 day-care centers within just one-day. This requires trained manpower and a change in mindset. 

"We are optimistic that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, it will be possible to spread this initiative across the country in the shortest possible time," he said. 

Dr Zahid said that former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia had started the ivitiative with only six day-care centers in 1992. Now that initiative is underway to further increase, he said.

Referring to Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, he said, "The person who returned to the barracks after declaring independence due to professionalism that showed responsibility, not power, is paramount."