Programme Objective: Advancing Maternity Protection through Ever Better Solutions (EBS)

Bangladesh has made progress in maternal and child health, yet critical gaps remain. While more than half of women receive at least one antenatal care visit, far fewer access postnatal care. Many children are born with low birth weight, and a significant proportion suffer from undernutrition, stunting, and wasting. Although almost all newborns are breastfed at some point, timely initiation and exclusive breastfeeding rates remain below optimal levels.

These challenges are deeply connected to the realities of the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector—an industry powered largely by women. Over 60% of the workforce are female, most of them in their reproductive years. Many experience anemia and under-nutrition, affecting not only their health and productivity but also the wellbeing of their children. Despite improvements in workplace safety and compliance in recent years, maternity protection and breastfeeding support remain insufficiently prioritized in many factories.

Working mothers often return to demanding jobs without adequate facilities, time, or support to continue breastfeeding. This not only compromises child nutrition but also places women in a difficult position—choosing between employment and maternal responsibility.

Programme Purpose: This programme seeks to change that reality.

The objective is to create an enabling, rights-based workplace environment that protects maternity rights and supports breastfeeding among female RMG workers. Through strengthened institutional leadership by Ever Better Solutions (EBS), the initiative aims to scale sustainable, standards-based maternity protection across member factories nationwide.

The programme aligns with national labour laws, global labour standards, and World Health Organization recommendations. It is built on the understanding that maternity protection is not a privilege—it is a right. And supporting working mothers is not a cost—it is an investment in human capital, productivity, and national progress.

Gender and Equity Commitment

The programme places gender equality and equity at its core. Women’s participation in paid employment is fundamental to economic empowerment and family wellbeing. Yet empowerment cannot thrive without protection.

By safeguarding maternity rights, the programme reinforces dignity, fairness, and equal opportunity in the workplace. It encourages women’s participation in decision-making processes and promotes shared responsibility among male colleagues and management.

Raising awareness of legal entitlements and workplace benefits strengthens accountability. Engaging management fosters ownership. Supporting mothers strengthens families.

This is not only a labour issue—it is a development imperative. Increased female labour force participation contributes directly to economic growth and national advancement. Protecting mothers protects the future workforce.

Expected Outcomes

Through strengthened leadership by Ever Better Solutions (EBS), the programme aims to achieve:

• Sector-wide improvement in compliance with maternity protection standards.
• Increased breastfeeding continuation and improved maternal and child nutrition outcomes.
• Reduced workplace discrimination and improved job security for mothers.
• Sustainable institutional mechanisms to maintain and monitor standards.

Vision for Impact

This programme envisions workplaces where women do not have to choose between earning a livelihood and nurturing their children. Where maternity is respected. Where breastfeeding is supported. Where labour rights are upheld with dignity.

By embedding structured maternity protection into factory systems, Ever Better Solutions (EBS) will lead a transformative shift within the RMG sector—one that advances women’s health, strengthens families, improves productivity, and contributes to national development.

Supporting working mothers is not simply a compliance requirement. It is a moral responsibility, an economic strategy, and a commitment to equity.

Through this initiative, the RMG sector can become not only a driver of economic growth, but also a champion of maternal wellbeing and child nutrition—ensuring that progress is measured not only in exports, but in healthier futures for women and their children.