Tag Archive for: Poverty In Bangladesh

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Friendship’s 3-Tier System and Health Care in Bangladesh

Health Care in BangladeshBangladesh is at the heart of the battle against the changing climate. According to the World Bank, around 21% of the country is prone to annual flooding. This leaves many inhabitants isolated without access to health care and makes it difficult to build permanent hospitals. Approximately 12 million people live on the chars, which are river islands formed by sediment deposits due to flooding. Accessing hospitals can be difficult for these people due to damaged infrastructure.

In 2002, Bangladeshi entrepreneur Runa Khan began Friendship, a social purpose organization. The organization aims to address the challenges faced by the inhabitants of the chars with floating medical boats and other community initiatives using a three-tier system.

Friendship’s Three-Tier System

  • Tier 1: Floating Medical Boats Expand Health Care Access in Bangladesh: On the frontline of the system are three floating medical boats that serve the chars, as well as the land hospital located in Shyamnagar. The purpose of the boats is to expand medical care to those in rural areas who cannot access hospitals due to seasonal flooding, which damages roads and infrastructure. The floating medical boats offer free surgeries, check-ups, and medicine, along with pediatric, gynecological, dental and eye care. The boats help up to 175 people per day.
  • Tier 2: Satellite Clinics Focus on Prevention and Women’s Health: Satellite clinics carry out frequent visits to rural and isolated zones to educate communities on hygiene and nutrition, as well as providing basic treatments and free medicine. The main focus of these clinics is prevention and follow-ups. For instance, Friendship screens more than 18,000 women per year for cervical cancer and treats around 150 women for precancerous lesions.
  • Tier 3: Community Medic-Aids Support Health Care: The Friendship Community Medic-Aids (FCMs) are women trained by the organization to give primary health care to the communities. Some of these women are also trained as Community Skilled Birth Assistants (CSBAs) to give ante- and post-natal care, deliver children and provide basic childcare. In 2022-23, a study showed that over 90% of people asked had taken health care services from FCMs, demonstrating the impact they have on the communities.

Combining Health Care and Climate Adaptation

Friendship not only provides health care services but also addresses other issues like climate resilience. To prepare the communities for natural disasters, Friendship has carried out preventative measures such as restoring forests to protect villages from cyclones. More than 650,000 trees have been planted on the southern coast of the country, protecting at least 125,000 people.

Actions like these help combat many issues suffered due to storms. The destruction of villages and infrastructure can lead to malnutrition from a shortage of resources, a lack of health care due to isolation and an increased risk of waterborne diseases from living in flooded areas. Friendship’s three-tier system with floating medical boats, satellite clinics, and FCMs allows medical staff to reach vulnerable communities in times of need, while also implementing preventative measures to save more lives.

In 2025, Friendship was a finalist for the Earthshot Prize for its incredible work protecting the communities in Bangladesh. The organization’s holistic three-tier system demonstrates how health care and climate adaptation can work together to support the vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.

– Emma Wheeler

Emma is based in Valencia, Spain and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

 

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Bangladesh’s Trillion-Dollar Economy Plan

Bangladesh's Trillion-Dollar Economy PlanBangladesh has spent the past few years navigating political and economic challenges, with poverty still affecting many rural communities where access to adequate income and food remains limited. In response, the government has been actively pursuing strategies to stabilize and strengthen the economy. Most notably, the finance minister recently confirmed Bangladesh’s trillion-dollar economy plan, targeting economic growth to reach the milestone by 2034.

While this goal may seem distant, economic transformation is rarely immediate. Sustainable growth requires consistent policy implementation, structural reforms and time for these changes to yield stable, measurable results.

What Is the Plan for Achieving This Goal?

Bangladesh’s biggest source of financial support comes from the garment sector. However, the country might face a shock due to its standard approach to this sector. If an economy wants to thrive, it needs diversity to achieve its goals.

The government has prepared a plan and is considering investing more money, creating jobs across various sectors, democratizing the economy and opening new sectors in creative fields and sports. The main reason is to give the country a range of options and help it become part of Bangladesh’s trillion-dollar economy plan. However, looking at the figures for the last financial year, economic growth was 0.48% lower than expected, mainly because it relied heavily on the service and agriculture sectors to generate that profit. 

Therefore, the government has developed this diversity plan to achieve this goal. Bangladesh attracted significant foreign investment, with its strongest year recorded in 2019 when direct investment exceeded $1.8 billion. However, political upheaval and internal ambiguity led to a decline in investment levels in subsequent years.

Despite these challenges, 2025 marked a recovery year for Bangladesh, with direct investment rising to $1.77 billion. Although this figure remains below the 2019 peak, it shows that foreign investors are still interested in investing in the country despite the global financial situation.

Bangladesh and the International Monetary Fund

Earlier in April 2026, discussions during a meeting in Washington, D.C. raised concerns about Bangladesh’s financial situation. Although Bangladesh was approved for more than $5 billion in IMF loans between January 2023 and June 2025, the country has received only about $3.64 billion so far, with nearly $2 billion still pending for future disbursement.

The program was not designed to give the country the money for free; it came with conditions, such as increasing government revenue and strengthening oversight of the banking sector. Bangladesh agreed to these terms before signing the deal, as the measures were intended to support stronger long-term financial stability.

If Bangladesh is serious about becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2034, it must take economic diversification more seriously, as the country still relies heavily on the garment sector and foreign direct investment. The government also needs to reform trade policies, strengthen sustainability measures and address key industry challenges to protect long-term growth.

Final Thoughts

Bangladesh aims to expand investment into higher-value sectors such as banking, insurance, telecommunications and pharmaceuticals to strengthen long-term financial stability and maintain steady investment inflows. Diversifying the economy is considered essential to the country’s goal of becoming a trillion-dollar economy by 2034, as it would create multiple sources of revenue and improve resilience during financial issues.

These are challenges Bangladesh can overcome. Over the past 30 years, the country has shown remarkable economic resilience through a hardworking labor force, a dynamic private sector and strong financial flows.

– Sibel Yasharoglu

Sibel is based in Leicester, UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Fighting Back: Cholera Vaccine Shortages in Bangladesh

Fighting Back Against Cholera Vaccine Shortages in Bangladesh Bangladesh’s battle against cholera has been long-standing and complicated by various factors, including limited access to clean water and Bangladesh’s high population density. With the rise in funding cuts to global aid, there has been a significant increase in vaccine shortages in Bangladesh. However, with the implementation of certain countermeasures, the fight against cholera vaccine shortages shows promise.

The Cholera Cycle

The prevalence of cholera in Bangladesh has been estimated to be around 100,000 cases per year.

This is due to a number of different factors, including Bangladesh’s rainfall season, where there is an increase in floods and droughts.

As cholera is transmitted by consuming contaminated food and water, the increase in rainfall in Bangladesh every year creates a cycle of increasing and decreasing cholera infections. Typically, this is addressed with vaccination protocols such as the mass oral cholera vaccination (OCV) campaign that was put in place for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

However, with continuous cuts to funding across the globe, the availability of vaccinations has been on a steady decrease, making vaccination campaigns like the mass OCV campaign for the Rohingya people a challenge to replicate.

In response to most cholera outbreaks, there is a two-dose protocol in vaccination schemes. Due to funding cuts, the number of doses usually provided in these schemes has been reduced by international organizations that provide vaccinations. This reduction to only one dose has been an attempt to mitigate the impact of the limited global supply.

The Global Response to Low Vaccination Stocks

The vaccine shortages in Bangladesh, as with other countries, have been slowly receiving pushback from global actors such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. As of February 2026, the global supply of cholera vaccinations has increased to sufficient levels for vaccination programs to resume. Bangladesh is set to receive 10.3 million doses.

Furthermore, the cholera vaccination shortages in Bangladesh have only provided incentives to promote secondary countermeasures against cholera outbreaks. Campaigns such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), which aim to provide safe water and sanitation, have already been in existence for more than a decade.

Cholera is spread by contaminated food and water. With a shift in focus to efforts that promote sanitation and clean water, alongside proper vaccination protocols, the battle against cholera in Bangladesh can continue.

Looking Ahead

The cholera endemic in Bangladesh has always been one of Bangladesh’s biggest health challenges, with around 3,000 deaths occurring annually. This is a problem that continues to persist, especially with the instability caused by vaccine shortages. Despite this, with vaccination campaigns in Bangladesh resuming, the fight against cholera outbreaks resumes with renewed momentum.

– Bernice Attawia

Bernice is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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The Monsoon’s Aftermath: Structural Reforms in Bangladesh

Structural Reforms in BangladeshThe year 2024 was a monumental time for Bangladesh as protests rocked the nation for three months, culminating in the previous government being forced to resign. Immediately, the interim government was tasked with implementing various structural reforms in order to address the numerous systemic problems facing the average citizen in Bangladesh, including continued vulnerabilities within the financial sector, rising inflation and decreased GDP growth.

Transitional Power

Even before the Monsoon Revolution, Bangladesh was experiencing momentum in economic growth. Implementing trade reforms and export diversification helped to sustain growth as inflationary pressure eased and external conditions improved.

However, that was off the back of 15 years of consolidated power, weakening civilian institutions and using force to suppress critics and opposition members of the government.

Now that the regime had been ousted and the new interim government put in its place, it was immediately faced with the structural pressures a less-than-peaceful transition of power brings about.

The new prime minister laid out a roadmap centered on reform of the financial sector and economic stabilization. Policies such as restoring the independence of the Bangladesh Bank, deregulating the financial market and accelerating reforms to improve revenue mobilization were implemented. These reforms are intended to ensure a gradual ease in doing business in the country and macroeconomic stabilization.

The new ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party has also made other reforms part of its platform, including combating corruption with a stated zero-tolerance policy. The party has addressed the disparity between the rich and poor, looking to create an Economic Reform Commission to address the gap through the “equitable distribution of growth benefits, upholding equality, human dignity, and social justice.” The party also plans to bring fair wages for the working class and reform labor laws to create better working environments.

Looking Ahead

Since the July Uprising, Bangladesh has been in a state of transition across its economy, politics and standard of living. With structural reforms being passed and plans laid out to address the systemic issues in Bangladesh, the effectiveness of the new government’s approach will become clearer over time.

– Alexander Petrov

Alexander is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Improving Access to Education in Bangladesh

Education in BangladeshBangladesh has made significant progress in expanding access to education, especially at the primary level. However, many students still drop out before completing secondary school, with only around 64% continuing beyond primary education. Factors such as child labor, early marriage and limited access to quality education continue to shape these outcomes. 

These challenges affect all students, but they disproportionately impact girls, limiting their long-term economic opportunities.

Access to Education in Bangladesh

Surovi, a nonprofit school in Dhaka, makes education accessible for children who are often excluded from the system, including those living on the streets or growing up without stable family support. Founded in 1979, the organization focuses on reaching vulnerable groups who would otherwise remain out of school.

For many girls, Surovi serves as a critical entry point into education. They face higher risks of early dropout, child marriage and long-term economic dependency, making access to Surovi school especially important. However, access alone is not enough. 

The quality of education remains uneven, as limited resources and a shortage of trained teachers continue to affect how students learn and progress.

The Role of Education in Shaping Opportunities

Education plays a key role in shaping both individual futures and broader economic development, particularly in regions like South Asia, where poverty remains a persistent challenge. According to the World Bank, although Bangladesh has reduced poverty over time, many people still face economic vulnerability, especially in marginalized communities. In this context, education in Bangladesh becomes essential for creating long-term opportunities, particularly for women.

Beyond basic skills, education builds awareness, confidence and independence. More educated societies tend to be more open to new ideas and better equipped to respond to social and economic challenges. For women, this impact is even more significant. Education helps delay early marriage, improves access to employment and allows women to participate more actively in the workforce.

Research by UNESCO shows that expanding access to education can significantly reduce poverty, with studies suggesting that poverty could be cut by more than half if all adults completed secondary education. As Malala Yousafzai emphasizes, education is a powerful tool for change. In this sense, it not only provides knowledge but also creates more capable and economically active individuals who can shape their own futures.

Education and Economic Pathways in Bangladesh

Pathshala South Asian Media Institute creates an atmosphere that makes education an alternative pathway into competitive job markets, particularly within creative industries. For one female student, studying photography became a turning point after a disrupted education journey. She explained that gaining skills and confidence helped her begin building a career, even in a field where income is not immediate and requires personal investment.

A teacher at Pathshala highlighted that these experiences reflect broader structural challenges. Barriers to education remain closely linked to poverty, geographic inequality and unequal access to quality institutions, especially outside major cities. Entering the job market is also highly competitive, with networks and connections often playing a crucial role alongside skills.

However, this dynamic is gradually shifting. More students are using digital platforms, portfolios and professional networks to access opportunities in media, freelancing and small-scale entrepreneurship. According to the teacher, when education is combined with practical skills, it enables students to move from unstable, low-income work to more sustainable livelihoods. While this transition takes time and is not equal for everyone, it shows how education can support long-term economic mobility.

From Education to Economic Empowerment

The experiences of students and educators in Bangladesh show that education is not just about learning but about creating pathways out of poverty, especially for women. As more women gain access to education, they are better positioned to move beyond low-income, unstable work into more secure and independent sources of income. In a situation where economic vulnerability and social expectations continue to shape women’s opportunities, education plays a critical role in shifting this reality. 

Women who gain skills, confidence and professional networks are more likely to enter the workforce, start their own ventures or build sustainable careers over time. While challenges such as unequal access, limited resources and a competitive job market remain, they do not erase the progress being made. Instead, they highlight the need for more inclusive and practical education systems.

Closing Remarks

Ultimately, breaking barriers in Bangladesh is not only about increasing access to education but ensuring that education leads to real economic outcomes. When women in Bangladesh can turn education into income and independence, the impact extends beyond individuals and directly reduces poverty across communities and generations.

Globally, education remains one of the strongest tools to fight poverty. According to UNESCO, around 171 million people could escape extreme poverty if all students left school with basic reading skills. Expanding access to quality education, especially for women, can accelerate this progress and create more equal economic opportunities across generations.

– Elif Oktar

Elif is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project. 

Photo: Pexels

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Education Programs: Girls Break the Cycle of Poverty

Girls Break the Cycle of PovertyIn Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, a Rohingya mother made a difficult decision after schools in her refugee camp closed due to funding cuts. Without access to education, she feared for her daughter’s future and arranged her marriage at the age of 16. Her experience reflects a growing pattern in the camps, where the loss of schooling has contributed to rising child marriage among girls. This growing crisis highlights how education helps girls break the cycle of poverty and build more stable futures.

Across many developing nations, girls continue to face barriers that prevent them from attending school or completing their education. Poverty, early marriage and gender discrimination often lead families to withdraw girls from school at an early age. Education programs that support girls aim to remove these barriers and expand access to learning.

Background

Millions of girls worldwide remain out of school. UNICEF reports that approximately 119 million girls are currently out of school, particularly in regions affected by poverty, conflict and social inequality. Limited access to education can reduce economic opportunities and reinforce cycles of poverty.

Education initiatives increasingly focus on practical solutions such as financial incentives, mentorship and improved school environments. By helping girls remain in school longer, these programs aim to strengthen economic opportunities and long-term development in their communities.

Bangladesh: Long-Term Impact of Education Incentives

Bangladesh provides one of the most widely studied examples of how financial incentives can expand girls’ access to education. The Female Secondary School Stipend Program provided financial support to rural families whose daughters remained enrolled in school and delayed early marriage. Researchers found that the program significantly increased girls’ enrollment in secondary education.

Researchers continue to examine the program’s long-term impact. A 2025 study found that women who benefited from the stipend program were more likely to invest in their children’s health and education. These outcomes show how access to education can help break the cycle of poverty across generations.

Tanzania: Mentorship Programs Supporting Girls’ Futures

Mentorship programs also help girls remain in school and develop confidence. In Tanzania, the Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative supports girls during the transition from primary to secondary education. The program provides mentorship, life skills training, and academic support to help girls continue their studies.

Mentorship initiatives connect girls with role models who demonstrate the long-term value of education. Programs that involve families and communities can encourage girls to remain in school and pursue leadership and career opportunities.

Addressing Health and Safety Barriers

Across the world, education programs focus on practical barriers that prevent girls from attending school. Many initiatives work to improve sanitation facilities, promote menstrual health education and strengthen school safety so girls can attend classes consistently.

Organizations are also working to support programs that address gender-based violence and school safety. Improving school environments and access to health resources can reduce absenteeism and help girls continue their education.

Education remains one of the most effective strategies for reducing global poverty. Educated girls could be more likely to participate in the workforce, delay early marriage and invest in their children’s health and education. These outcomes contribute to stronger economic growth and improved well-being for families.

Examples from Bangladesh and Tanzania demonstrate how targeted programs and policy initiatives can expand educational opportunities for girls. Continued investment in education can help more girls break the cycle of poverty and create long-term change.

– Isil Ertas Senturk

Isil is based in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Bangladesh’s Textile Industry: Expanding Economic Opportunities

Bangladesh’s textile industryBangladesh was not always just a manufacturing hub–centuries ago. Bengal was actually one of the world’s leading textile producers, known for its fine muslin fabrics traded across continents. This changed during British colonial rule, when local production declined and the region lost its place in global trade. Today, Bangladesh has re-emerged as the world’s second-largest garment exporter, with the textile industry making up more than 80% of its exports and employing millions of people. In a country of more than 170 million people, this sector plays a key role in economic growth while also raising questions about sustainability and long-term impact.

The Engine Behind Bangladesh’s Economic Rise

Bangladesh’s garment industry didn’t just grow over time—it essentially became the backbone of the country’s economy. After gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh was one of the poorest countries in the world, with very limited industrial capacity. Over the years, the ready-made garment (RMG) sector stepped in to fill that gap, replacing traditional exports like jute and turning into the country’s main driver of growth. Today, the industry employs around 4.5 million people and plays a central role in both economic stability and job creation.

Since taking off in the 1980s, the sector has expanded rapidly through export-led growth and strong integration into global supply chains. This model has helped Bangladesh maintain steady economic progress while creating opportunities for millions of people, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. At the same time, as global markets shift and Bangladesh prepares to move beyond its least-developed country status, there are growing questions about how sustainable this growth model will be in the long run.

Women, Work and the Cost of Opportunity

One of the most visible impacts of Bangladesh’s garment industry is on women. For many, factory work offers a first chance to earn an income, especially for those from rural and low-income backgrounds. This has contributed to greater financial independence and more say in family decisions, while also helping delay early marriage. At the same time, these opportunities have also reshaped education choices. While more girls are encouraged to go to school, some leave earlier to work and support their families, showing how economic opportunity can come with trade-offs.

However, working conditions remain challenging, with long hours and relatively low wages still common. The Rana Plaza collapse exposed serious safety issues and led to reforms, but concerns continue. At the same time, the industry’s environmental impact—especially water pollution from textile production—remains significant. Much of this production is driven by global brands such as Primark and H&M, linking local conditions to a wider global system.

The Future of Bangladesh’s Textile Industry

Bangladesh’s textile industry has clearly driven strong economic growth, but this success also comes with risks. One of the biggest challenges is the country’s heavy reliance on a single sector. As highlighted in recent analysis, an economy built so strongly around garments remains vulnerable to global shifts in demand and competition.

Looking ahead, Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status could be a major turning point. While it reflects economic progress, it also means the country may lose key trade advantages such as duty-free access to major markets, potentially affecting its competitiveness in the global apparel industry . At the same time, new global regulations—such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism—could place additional pressure on exporters to meet stricter environmental standards.

These changes suggest that the current growth model may not be enough in the long term. To stay competitive, Bangladesh will likely need to move beyond low-cost production and focus more on innovation, technology and diversification. Strengthening productivity and expanding into higher-value sectors could be key to sustaining growth in the years ahead.

Conclusion

In many ways, the story of Bangladesh’s textile industry is not just about growth—it’s about people. It’s about millions of lives shaped by the chance to earn, to move, to imagine something beyond survival. For many women in particular, the industry has opened doors that did not exist before.

But behind this progress is a more complicated reality. The same system that creates opportunity also carries pressure on workers, on communities and on the environment. As Bangladesh moves forward, the question is no longer whether the industry can grow, but what kind of growth it chooses to pursue.

If that growth is shaped with greater care—for people, for working conditions and for the environment—then the textile sector can remain not just an economic success, but a more balanced and human one.

– Elif Oktar

Elif is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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3 Legislative Moves & Global Poverty in 2026

Global Poverty in 2026Poverty has emerged as one of the most challenging human rights issues and though it is improving in many regions, areas such as sub-Saharan Africa have seen declines. While it is traditionally believed that poverty naturally eases as a nation’s economy and GDP increase, this is not always the case. While an expanding economy does alleviate poverty, many other factors persist, such as education and discrimination. 

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), countries can adopt numerous legislative measures to address poverty, including land tenure rights, social protection systems and rural employment. Therefore, it is not only necessary for a government to expand markets and support investment, but also to pass legislation specifically aimed at improving the conditions that allow poverty to arise. Here is what some countries around the world are doing to legislate poverty eradication:

$16 Billion Rural Aid in Vietnam

Vietnam is creating legislation to lower global poverty in 2026. On December 11, 2025, the National Assembly passed a resolution to provide unprecedented funds for rural development until 2030. The move follows years of efforts since 2021, which by 2025 have already reduced the number of needy and near-poor households by 52.49%. In addition, the government built new housing in areas with ethnic minority populations and brought communes up to environmental safety standards.

The new resolution intends to follow in the successful footsteps of what came before. Notably, the program aims to reduce gender inequality, which is essential to improving the lives of impoverished individuals. According to the National Library of Medicine, there is a link between poverty and equity and therefore, addressing gender discrimination and inequality goes a long way.

Basic Income Grants in South Africa

In South Africa, the two richest individuals hold as much wealth as 50% of the population and the country has the highest Gini coefficient, a measure of social inequality, among all countries. This makes poverty a central issue that the government must confront. One political topic that has gained momentum recently is the implementation of basic income grants (BIGs).

Countries such as Namibia and India have introduced similar programs and shown increases in economic activity, nutrition levels, school attendance and even independence for certain groups, such as women. During COVID-19, South Africa carried out a BIG program and the results were effective. South Africa’s Department of Social Development (DSD) even reported a decrease in poverty at the Food Poverty Line, the lowest income possible to satisfy one’s nutritional needs. 

The DSD has ordered a report on the possibility of such a program in South Africa and concluded that its COVID-19 policy should be continued and perhaps even the workup to a full-scale BIG program. While critics worry that the program will crowd out other spending or create an unsustainable fiscal burden, a future program could transform the fight against poverty.

Bangladesh’s Family Card

Recently, Bangladesh launched a new program to transform welfare services. Launched on March 10, 2026, the program shifts the focus from individual to household, given that poverty is experienced “collectively.” Accordingly, each household will have one card issued in the name of the female head. 

The government has set ambitious goals, hoping to provide every citizen with a card by 2030. However, not everyone qualifies. Some example criteria include belonging to a marginalized group or being in a vulnerable household. This ensures that not just anybody receives these government benefits, only those who truly need them. 

Overall Picture

Governments around the world are discovering that they can’t just let market forces determine the outcome of poverty in their countries; they must enact specific legislation to address it. As Joseph Stiglitz noted: “Much of the inequality that exists today is a result of government policy.” This is exactly what Vietnam, South Africa and Bangladesh are doing, pushing for policies that help those who need it most, a sign that the world is beginning to confront global poverty in 2026.

– Ben Anderson

Ben is based in Madrid, Spain and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Bangladesh’s Family Card: A New Approach to Poverty Reduction

Bangladesh's Family CardBangladesh’s family card program is a new government initiative launched on March 10, 2026, designed to provide direct financial assistance and essential goods to low-income households. Developed by the Ministry of Social Welfare, the program is designed as a digital, database-driven system that identifies and supports vulnerable families through a single platform.

Unlike traditional welfare schemes that often focus on individuals, the government built this program on the principle that families are the core unit of development. This means that assistance is distributed at the household level, reflecting how economic hardship, food insecurity and health challenges are experienced collectively.

A Unified Social Protection System

One of the key features of the family card program is its role in unifying Bangladesh’s social protection system. In the past, welfare support was often delivered through multiple programs across different ministries, leading to duplication, inefficiencies and gaps in coverage. The program addresses this by integrating various forms of assistance, such as cash transfers and subsidized goods, into one system.

This centralized approach allows the government to maintain a single database of beneficiaries, improving coordination and ensuring that support reaches the intended households. The system also uses digital tools, including national ID integration and QR-enabled cards, to verify beneficiaries and track distribution. These features help streamline the delivery process and reduce administrative barriers. 

This makes it easier for families to access support without having to navigate multiple programs. Over time, the government aims to expand this model into a broader “Universal Social ID Card,” which could serve as a foundation for delivering a wide range of public services through a single, integrated platform. 

Who Benefits From the Program?

The family card program is designed to support economically vulnerable households across Bangladesh, particularly those with unstable incomes or limited access to basic resources. These include rural families, day laborers and households affected by rising living costs. Eligibility is determined through a structured selection process that uses a proxy means test (PMT) and door-to-door data collection. 

This approach evaluates factors such as income level, housing conditions and household size to identify those most in need. During the pilot phase, approximately 6,500 families across multiple districts were selected to receive benefits. The government plans to expand the program gradually, with a long-term goal of reaching up to 20 million families nationwide.

This phased rollout allows the program to test its systems and improve implementation while steadily increasing its reach. 

Delivering Direct Support

A defining feature of the family card program is its use of direct digital payments. Each enrolled household receives a monthly transfer, typically between $16.31 and $20.38, delivered through mobile financial services or bank accounts. This method reduces reliance on intermediaries and helps ensure that funds are delivered quickly and securely. 

Beneficiaries are notified digitally and in most cases, funds are deposited directly into their accounts without the need to visit government offices. In addition to financial assistance, the family card also provides access to subsidized essential goods such as rice, oil and lentils. By combining cash transfers with food support, the program helps households manage both income shortages and rising food prices.

The cards themselves feature modern elements such as QR codes and digital identification systems, enabling efficient verification and use across different services.

Potential Impact on Poverty

The family card program has the potential to significantly reduce poverty in Bangladesh by providing regular income support to vulnerable households. Regular cash transfers help families meet basic needs such as food, housing and health care, while also offering greater financial stability. This predictability is particularly important for households with irregular incomes, as it allows them to plan their spending and avoid falling deeper into poverty.

Furthermore, the combination of financial support and subsidized goods addresses both income and consumption challenges. By lowering the cost of essential items and increasing household purchasing power, the program supports household-level economic resilience. As the program expands toward its target of millions of families, it represents a large-scale effort to strengthen Bangladesh’s social safety net and improve living conditions for those most in need.

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh’s family card program reflects a broader shift toward digital governance and integrated social protection. By combining technology, centralized data and direct transfers, the initiative aims to create a more efficient and accessible support system. With plans to expand coverage nationwide and integrate additional services over time, the program could become a cornerstone of the country’s welfare infrastructure. 

Its emphasis on coordination and scalability positions it as a model for how developing countries can modernize social protection systems to better serve vulnerable populations. 

– Annie Hodgkinson

 Annie is based in Liverpool, UK and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Fighting Stigma: Poverty and Leprosy in Bangladesh

Leprosy in BangladeshBangladesh is a South Asian country bordered by India and Myanmar, with a population of more than 177 million. Some 18.7% of the population lives in poverty, due in part to neglected tropical diseases such as leprosy, which limit individuals’ ability to work and access education.

The bacteria Mycobacterium leprae cause leprosy, a chronic infectious disease. The disease mainly affects skin cells and can cause permanent disabilities when people do not receive timely treatment or detection. Bangladesh ranks fifth highest in the world for the number of leprosy cases, so eradicating the disease in the country is a priority, especially since people can be completely cured of it.

Leprosy is a disease that creates stigmatization against those affected, making employment difficult. Combined with medical costs, this creates a high correlation between leprosy and poverty. Areas with poor living conditions and food insecurity also tend to have an increased risk of contracting leprosy, highlighting the relationship between leprosy and poverty.

The eradication of leprosy will improve the livelihood of millions, not just in Bangladesh but also in the other 120 countries still affected by the curable disease. Tropical diseases tend to be neglected from the global health agenda and usually cause stigma. This article will discuss the impact of fighting stigma and how leprosy and poverty can be reduced together.

The Leprosy Mission in Bangladesh

The Leprosy Mission in Bangladesh (TLMIB) is a nonprofit organization focused on the eradication of leprosy in North Bangladesh. With a focus derived from six key values — compassion, justice, integrity, inclusion, humility and collaboration — its work has supported the livelihood of those with leprosy and helped them regain their dignity.

Since 2007, TLMIB has set up 700 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in North Bangladesh, a step toward long-term, sustainable change. Leprosy and poverty were seen by the organization to go hand in hand, and these SHGs allowed those impacted to access food and find community with others who share similar experiences, especially as leprosy is widely discriminated against.

SHGs have group deposits, which encourage positive financial habits and help members rebuild their lives together. Since 2007, SHGs across the region have grown, with members integrating back into society with less stigma and fewer financial problems. This is significant when considering leprosy and poverty, as it shows that if leprosy is prioritized, many people’s livelihoods can change, enabling them to move to a life above the poverty line.

U.N. Initiatives and Government Aims

The Prime Minister of Bangladesh has committed to eradicating the disease through the Zero Leprosy Initiative by 2030. The initiative aims to eradicate the disease, prevent disability and remove stigma.

Additionally, the government has decided to increase the number of disability centers in the country and integrate them into the existing health care system. Policymakers have also suggested earlier diagnosis and skills training for people affected by leprosy, both to remove stigma and directly address the link between leprosy and poverty. The Persons with Disabilities’ Rights and Protection Act, implemented in 2013, drives this focus on leprosy in the country.

The United Nations (U.N.) has worked with Beatriz Miranda-Galarza to raise awareness of leprosy. Miranda-Galarza has coordinated the BRIDGES and SARSHE projects in Indonesia and Brazil, strengthening the dialogue around leprosy in the disability movement. This work supports efforts against stigma and helps build better lives after the disease, again highlighting the link between leprosy and poverty.

Looking Ahead

Nonprofits such as TLMIB and the work by the government of Bangladesh demonstrate that leprosy and poverty can be reduced together by removing stigma and prioritizing long-term, sustainable change. These efforts make independence accessible to people with disabilities, allowing them to learn positive financial habits and build stable lives.

Although Bangladesh still needs to reduce leprosy cases, the progress so far points to measurable change across the country. Chile recently became the first country in the Americas to completely eradicate leprosy, showing that the goal is achievable for other countries committed to the cause.

– Caitlin Cooper

Caitlin is based in Aberdeen, UK and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr