বাংলাA recent study has found that excessive household and labor-intensive work performed by mothers in rural Bangladesh is negatively affecting child nutrition. Researchers say that although mothers provide care and attention to their children, the benefits of that care decline significantly when they spend long hours on unpaid domestic and agricultural work.
The study, published in the internationally recognized journal Women’s Studies International Forum (WSIF), was conducted by Professor Dr. Mahbub Hossain of Bangladesh Agricultural University.
Researchers analyzed nutritional data from 1,447 children using information from the Bangladesh Integrated Household Survey (BIHS), conducted by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
The findings reveal that maternal care plays a vital role in improving child nutrition. However, the positive effects of caregiving diminish when mothers are burdened with excessive household responsibilities and labor-intensive activities.
The study also highlights that while rural development and agricultural initiatives have increased women’s participation in work, childcare support systems and daycare facilities have not expanded at the same pace.
As a result, many mothers are forced to manage household duties, agricultural work, and childcare simultaneously, creating a significant burden that affects child well-being.
Researchers emphasize that improving child nutrition requires more than awareness campaigns and nutrition programs. Reducing women’s workload, expanding childcare services, and strengthening community support systems are equally important.
Experts suggest that greater use of technology, improved access to water and energy resources, and the establishment of institutional childcare centers could help improve child nutrition outcomes across rural Bangladesh.
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