Children and UNICEF join forces to advocate for a child-focused budget in the National Parliament

Dhaka, June 3, 2024 – At a parliamentary briefing held today at the Bangladesh National Parliament, UNICEF and children’s representatives from the Bangladesh Generation Parliament initiative today emphasized the critical need for increased allocation and effective use of the national budget in key child care sectors.

This year, ‘Protecting Children’s Interests in the National Budget: Pre-Budget Briefing’ is jointly organized by UNICEF with members of the Parliamentary Caucus on Children’s Rights, the Standing Committees of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health, and the Bangladesh Parliamentary Forum on Health and Well-being.

This briefing follows UNICEF’s comprehensive analysis of the national budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year and its presentation to parliamentarians, revealing trends in budget allocation and use for key sectors, particularly education, health and social protection. The presentation also sheds light on investment needs in three key sectors in the context of the upcoming budget and recommendations for the future.

Children representing eight divisions of Bangladesh were present at the event and expressed their concerns and aspirations of their peers during the briefing. “If we can participate in budget discussions, it will help us express our opinions, obstacles we face in our daily lives and needs related to our education, health and other areas,” said 11-year-old child journalist Owaiz Abtee from Kurigram.

“Involving children in pre-budget analysis is a powerful step towards supporting active citizenship and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping our nation’s future. UNICEF’s support for this initiative underlines our commitment to inclusive and participatory governance,” said Chief Guest Noor-E-Alam Chowdhury, Chief Whip of the National Parliament of Bangladesh.

Among other key issues, the briefing mentioned the need to address the underutilization of funds in critical sectors, coupled with a lack of allocation in other key areas.

In the 2023-2024 financial year, despite an increase in the total budget size by 12.3% compared to the previous year, the allocation to key sectors such as health, education and social protection has decreased proportionally, which poses significant risks to the economy – being children and achieving the country’s development goals.

“Investing in our children is not only a moral obligation – it is a smart economic strategy that will bring high returns. Ensuring full use of the children’s budget is essential to sustaining the extraordinary development progress Bangladesh has made,” said Stanley Gwavuya, OIC Representative to UNICEF in Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of strategic investments in children.

“It is our responsibility as policymakers to ensure that the allocation and implementation of budgets reflect our commitment to the well-being and rights of every child in Bangladesh. Today’s discussion once again confirmed our collective responsibility to improve the mechanisms for using the budget,” he said. Shamsul Hoque Tuku, Member of Parliament, Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament and Chairman of the Parliamentary Caucus for Children’s Rights, reiterating the need for legislative support.

In the health sector, Bangladesh has achieved remarkable progress in reducing maternal and under-five mortality. However, the upcoming national budget must ensure investment in health at the level of 2 percent of GDP, with a particular focus on access to universal health services for all, increasing the number of health workers, medicines and equipment in primary health care facilities, and increasing financing for vaccinations.

In terms of education, Bangladesh has achieved almost 100% primary school enrollment with gender parity. It is necessary to ensure investment in education at the level of 3 percent of GDP and focus on improving students’ competences at primary and secondary levels, reforming curricula, strengthening the student assessment system, training teachers and making schools heat-resistant.

In terms of social protection, the Mother and Child Benefit Program is a key intervention to ensure the nutrition of children in the early years of their lives. While Bangladesh invests judiciously in social protection, benefits must reach those in need.

In addition, UNICEF conducted a U-report survey of over 28,000 young voices to capture broader youth views. 84 percent of participants responded that it is important for the government to spend more on health care, education and social protection that directly impact children. This initiative is a testament to UNICEF’s commitment to including children’s voices in policy dialogues that directly impact their lives.