Transforming the role of fathers in early childhood development

Above: Rabiul* with his daughter at the Gender Transformative Integrated Early Childhood Development Centre. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan International Bangladesh

For men who have grown up in traditional communities, childcare and household chores are seen as the sole responsibility of women. But a program targeting fathers of young children in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, is encouraging men to rethink their long-held beliefs, and to understand the positive impact their involvement can have on gender equality and child development.

Rabiul* is a Rohingya father of three children, who lives in a camp in Cox’s Bazar. He has two sons, aged nine and seven, and a four-year-old daughter.

Rabiul’s daughter, Shajeda*, attends a Gender Transformative Integrated Early Childhood Development (GTiECD) centre supported by the Australian Humanitarian Partnership response in Bangladesh. Shajeda’s mother had been her primary caregiver and the one who took her to the centre. However, one day, Rabiul took Shajeda instead, and heard from the facilitator about a monthly club for fathers of children enrolled in the centre. Rabiul quickly agreed to join.

The Father’s Cafe monthly meetings discuss the involvement of men in creating an environment that ensures equal opportunities for all children. Topics include discussions on men’s overall engagement with household activities, sharing equal responsibilities for childcare regardless of the child’s gender, and spending quality time with children.

Above: Rabiul now helps around the house, including with some cooking. Photo: Ahmad Ullah Al Azad/Plan International Bangladesh

At Father’s Café, Rabiul heard from other men how they had supported their wives with household activities like looking after their children’s hygiene, household cleaning, and hanging mosquito nets.

Rabiul’s gut reaction was that men didn’t need to involve themselves with these tasks: these had traditionally always been something that the women in his family took care of.

But after hearing more stories, his perspective began to change, and so did his behaviour. Rabiul began participating in more household activities like cleaning, fetching water and occasionally helping with cooking. He also began spending more time with his children.

Immediately, Rabiul noticed the change at home. He felt that he had become more connected with his children and that his children were happier and enjoying their time with him. The overall family environment improved, with Rabiul’s wife appreciating his help with household tasks.

Rabiul then shared his experience at the next Father’s Café meeting. He also heard more about the ways children learn by imitating others in their family. He also learned to make some simple toys like boats and puppets to engaging in learning and play with his children.

“I’ve seen all my life, my mother did all the household work of our family and my father used to work outside the home,” Rabiul said.

“But now I understand that for the betterment of our children I need to share some household activities with my wife, because if my children have seen me sharing responsibilities, they will also learn to share responsibilities as they grow up.”

Within his community, Rabiul is still hesitant to discuss his increased involvement with household activities due to the stigma that exists around childcare being the sole responsibility of women. However, Rabiul is hopeful for wider change.

“Through the Fathers Café, the changes in the community will be started and the stigma will be reduced,” he said.

The Father’s Café and GTiECD activities are implemented by Friends of Village Development and Plan International Bangladesh, with Australian Government support through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership. The activities were implemented by the CARE-led consortium with Oxfam and Plan International.

*Name changed