Child Equity Atlas - BIDS

Child Equity Atlas
7.4 Progress has been Least in the Most
Deprived Areas
7.4.1 The generational progress of literacy was
examined by comparing the youth literacy rate
with that of the adult literacy rates in Bangladesh.
The average un-weighted average difference
between the two rates was 23.9 per cent. It
indicates that Bangladesh made a good progress
within a generation. This remarkable national
progress has not been across the sub national
areas of Bangladesh, as the lowest progress has
been recorded in the most deprived upazilas
where more advancement is most needed to
narrow the equity gap.
findings inform their investment cases, policy
actions, programme targeting and designs and
budgetary appropriations of today. In conclusion,
tracking the identification, removal and reporting
of the obstacles that hinder children, youth and
women from being included in the rapid economic
growth should be the development priority of the
Government of Bangladesh and its development
partners, as articulated in the Sixth Five Year Plan.
7.4.2 The average improvement of the 50 highest
deprived upazilas was just 17.7 percentage points.
Only one of the 50 highest deprived upazilas had
above average progress and 49 upazilas had below
average progress. This indicates that the highest
deprived upazilas need special attention, justifying
the geographic targeting approach adopted by
the Government of Bangladesh in the UNICEF
(and UNDAF) assisted Country Programme of
cooperation 2012-2016. In Bangladesh, the areas
with the highest deprivation tend to be both the
least accessible (hill districts for example) and most
densely populated (urban slums) areas. Therefore,
in order to reduce inequality and achieve Vision
2021 with justice, the most deprived areas should
be given due priority to ensure effective coverage
of basic social services.
7.4.3 The quality of growth in Bangladesh remains
challenged by the continued existence of these
pockets of social exclusion. Instead of waiting for
the results of the 2021 census to again confirm the
historical deprivations revealed in these pockets
of poverty, we call on all stakeholders to let these
Photo : Ibrahim Khan Moni
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