Impact of Existing Maternity Benefits on Women Empowerment, Maternity and Child Health

Abstract

Women plays an essential role in economy but they also play their intrinsic role as a mother and a home maker. Life of working women is challenging as very few of them get help from family members and/or household assistant. Many of them do not get any kind of help from family member as their mothers or mother in laws are working women too and paid household assistant are not always available. Moreover, the labour law in Bangladesh leaves little opportunities and help for working women. These creates discri mination between male and female worker. Many women fail to achieve career goal, some even fail to continue their job when they give birth to babies. Those, who cannot proceed are likely to face other problems such as lack of empowerment, depressions and various mental and social pressures. This paper seeks to understand the impact of existing maternity benefits on women empowerment, maternity and child health.