BNPS have tracked the national budget 2012-13 to analyze the budget allocation for women and its impact on gender parity and maternal health services by the Researcher Dr. Protima Paul-Majumder, Senior
Research Fellow, BIDS. BNPS also have organised a post budget seminar on 14 June 2012 at National Press Club, Dhaka where 7 MPs, renowned economists, researcher, government officials, journalists and DPPF members were presented. Ms. Rokeya Kabir, Executive Director of BNPS chaired the seminar. Dr. Pratima Paul- Majumder presented the key note paper. Proffessor M M Akash, Economics Department, Dhaka Univesity, Dr. Makhduma Nargis Ratna, Project Director, Community Clinic project, Dr.Kaniz N Siddique, Senior Consultant, Finance Ministry and World Bank, Dr. Saima Haq Bidisha, Assitant Professor, Economics Department, Dhaka University, Ms. Shamima Akther, Chief, Planning Commission were panel discusants. Mr. Alhaj Shafiqul Islam, MP, Ullapara, Sirajganj, Ms. Chaymon Ara MP, Ms.Rasheda Begum Hira MP, Ms. Shefali Mamtaj MP, Principal Khadija Khatun Sefali MP, Ms. Shaheen Monwara Haq MP were attended in this Seminar. Ms. Nilufar Ahmed Karim, PLAZE-2 project, Proffessor Rasheda Khanom, General Secretary, Women for Women, Mr. Gazi Habibur Rahman, Conveynor, Kajipur Public Policy Forum also shared their opinion.
These initiatives motivated and inspired MPs to raise voice in Parliament as well as in standing committees regarding budget allocation for hard to reach areas to improve situation of maternal health and girls’ dropout problem. Print and electronic media have covered the news of this event (please see Annexure). Publications of this news have created awareness among citizens, sensitized the government agencies and MPs and created some pressure of public opinion on the respective authorities. |
