The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Women and Children Affairs Ministry on Sunday recommended raising monthly maternity allowance for poor rural women to Tk 1,000 from Tk 800. The committee also recommended the ministry for taking necessary steps for allocating five computers alongside the allocation of five sewing machines against each Member of Parliament (MP). Also read: ELLA Pad’s zero waste initiative: 12 rural women display green products The recommendations came from the 31st meeting of the committee at the Parliament Bhaban. The chairperson of the parliamentary body Meher Afroze (Chumki) presided over the meeting, said a parliament release. The committee again asked for formulation of different area-wise policies for all the hostels (for working women) under the Women's Affairs Department. Also read:Paperfly to deliver rural women products across Bangladesh Committee members Shabnam Jahan, Lutfun Nesa Khan and Shahadara Mannan attended the meeting. High officials from the ministry, the department, Bangladesh Shishu Academy and Joyeeta Foundation were present.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for efforts to invest in rural women and help them build resilience to future crises.