Becoming a father transformed me from an ordinary man into someone truly special. It was a wondrous moment — a feeling shared by all fathers, who are superheroes in their children's eyes. In this blog, I’ll share my journey of fatherhood, challenging the traditional norms of our society, and hopefully inspiring modern fathers who strive to balance work and family to create lasting memories.Growing up, I hardly had memorable moments with my father, as he, like many men of his generation, was busy providing for the family. In our culture, it was almost a given that fathers earned the living while mothers raised the children. But times are changing, and so is the role of a father. Let me take you through my story of embracing fatherhood differently.
One day, while scrolling through social media, I came across a campaign called Bangladeshi & Swedish Baba, organized by the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka along with UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women. Their caption caught my eye:
The Challenges I Faced
Becoming a father is a life-changing experience — one that demands selflessness, unconditional love, and a commitment to put someone else’s needs above your own. For me, the challenges began even before my daughter was born.
I still remember the night she was about to come into this world. It was 10 PM, and I was anxiously waiting outside the delivery room. At that very moment, my manager called, expecting me to continue working. When I later applied for five days of paid paternity leave — something I was fully entitled to — my request was denied. Their response? "Why do you need to be there? What will you even do?"
This mindset reflects a deep-rooted belief in our society that parenting is solely a mother’s duty, and the father’s role is limited to providing financially.
When our baby was just four months old, I began taking her to my office every day. My wife’s workplace lacked childcare facilities, but thankfully mine didn’t. Yet, every day on the way, strangers would stop me and ask, “What happened to her mother?” The sight of a father carrying his child daily seemed unusual, even unacceptable, to many. Because in our society, it's still not the norm for a father to be so hands-on. And that, I believe, is exactly why this story needs to be told.
The Support I Received
While the journey was filled with challenges, I was also fortunate to receive support that made a big difference. At my workplace, the childcare facility officially accepted babies from six months old. But when they learned about my situation, they made an exception — not just allowing me to bring my four-month-old daughter, but appreciating me for stepping into a role few fathers dared to take. Many were surprised, because traditionally, such responsibilities are seen as the mother’s alone.
The warmth and help from the childcare staff, especially the nannies who lovingly cared for my daughter, and the kind words from my colleagues, truly lifted my spirit. Their encouragement reminded me that what I was doing mattered.
But the deepest support came from my partner — my better half. The truth is, none of this would have been possible without her strength, trust, and unwavering support. Behind every involved father is often a partner who believes in shared parenting, and I’m lucky to have that.
My Participation in Bangladeshi & Swedish BABA
When I came across the Bangladeshi & Swedish BABA campaign on social media through a post by the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, it instantly resonated with me. I decided to apply and share my story — both with the organizers and on my social media platforms. (You can find the posts here: [LinkedIn post link], [Facebook post link].)
A few days later, I received a response that truly humbled me: I was invited to take part in their Photo Exhibition, organized by the Embassy of Sweden in collaboration with UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women. The event was held at Gulshan Lake Park, Dhaka, and later traveled to various parts of Bangladesh, finally concluding at the Drik Gallery – Pathshala South Asian Media Institute in Dhaka.
Being part of this campaign was a powerful experience. I had the opportunity to share my story and thoughts with a diverse audience, and more importantly, I listened and learned from others. One of the key takeaways was the stark reality of how parenting is still perceived in our society — where childcare is traditionally seen as the mother's sole responsibility, while fathers are expected to focus solely on earning a living.
I shared how becoming a father made me realize that parenting is a shared journey. I talked about my own experiences — from being denied paternity leave, to carrying my daughter to work every day — and how people would question me in the street, asking what had happened to her mother. These experiences reflect a mindset that needs to evolve.
Events like these are important steps toward shifting that mindset. They create space for stories that challenge the norms and encourage more equal, compassionate parenting in our society.
Parenting in Bangladesh: A Gender Imbalance
In Bangladesh, parenting remains heavily gendered — women perform 7.6 times more unpaid domestic work than men, according to the country’s first Time Use Survey. Traditional norms still expect mothers to shoulder most caregiving responsibilities, while fathers are seen primarily as financial providers. However, initiatives like the “Bangladeshi and Swedish Baba” campaign are challenging these outdated roles, promoting active fatherhood and shared parenting. Studies show that greater involvement of fathers in caregiving not only benefits children but also contributes to gender equality and economic growth. (Data Source: The Daily Star https://www.thedailystar.net/opinion/views/news/the-fatherhood-we-owe-our-children-3840306)
Making a Difference: One Father's Story, A Step Toward Change
My journey may be personal, but its message is collective: active fatherhood is not just about presence, it’s about impact — on children, partners, and the future of our society.
Continuing the Journey of Shared Parenthood
Parenting is not a fixed role—it evolves, adapts, and requires both parents to show up with intention. When my wife chose to pause her career for our growing daughter, I knew I had to step up equally, not just in words but through action. That’s when I looked for a remote job that would allow me to be present, and I was fortunate to find one that aligned perfectly with our family’s needs. While remote work may not be the only path to active fatherhood, it gave me the space to build stronger bonds with my child and be a more present partner.
Sharing my story is part of a larger effort to shift mindsets about parenting—it's not about challenging the norm for the sake of it, but correcting a long-standing imbalance where caregiving is seen solely as a mother's duty. Through the Bangladeshi & Swedish BABA initiative—led by the Embassy of Sweden and supported by UNDP, UNFPA, and UN Women—I found a platform to amplify this message and connect with a growing community of fathers working toward the same goal. My voice may not reach everyone, but every story told is a step toward redefining fatherhood, promoting gender equality, and building a more compassionate and balanced society for our children.
A Father's Call for Change - Conclusion
Fatherhood isn’t just about providing — it’s about being present, sharing responsibilities, and reshaping old beliefs. Parenting is not the mother’s job alone. If we want a more equal, compassionate world, it must start at home. To every father: your presence matters. Show up, care deeply, and lead by example — because real strength lies in shared responsibility.
 |
| Photographer: Hadi Uddin |
(N.B. I used OpenAI to rewrite or paraphrase the sentences to make correction or native to audience)
0 Comments