A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) and the Department of Women Affairs (DoWA) under the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on March 3, 2025, at the DoWA office for the implementation of the Mother and Child Benefit Program (MCBP). Ms. Keya Khan, Director General, on behalf of DoWA, and Mr. Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, Senior Vice President, on behalf of LFMEAB, signed the MoU. The program is designed to meet the health and nutritional needs of poor pregnant and low-income working mothers, starting from prenatal care and continuing through the crucial first 1,000 days of life, as well as intellectual development. Under the MoU, low-income pregnant mothers and their newborns during the critical first 1000 days of life within the leathergoods and footwear sector will receive essential care and support.
Key activities under the MOU include:
• Determination of the number of beneficiaries and work area in the factories under LFMEAB.
• Selection of beneficiaries.
• Raising awareness among the beneficiaries about opening accounts in bank or mobile banking and preserving secret numbers.
• Organizing training programs focusing on prenatal health care, nutrition, safe motherhood practices, and child-rearing techniques to empower mothers and improve outcomes for their children.
• Awareness-raising activities in the LFMEAB member factories for the inclusion of potential beneficiaries.
• Technical assistance is being provided by the World Food Program (WFP).
