Tag Archive for: Poverty In Bangladesh

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Reducing Poverty in Bangladesh via Women’s Empowerment

Reducing Poverty in BangladeshSince attaining its independence in 1971, Bangladesh has made significant strides in its policies and laws that have improved conditions for women in the nation. These changes can be attributed to the women’s movement in the country, which has helped strengthen women’s rights and empowerment across varied spheres. Though the nature of progress made by women is uneven and some inequalities remain persistent, significant changes have been observed.</span></p><h2>Reducing Poverty in Bangladesh

According to the 2025 National Multidimensional Poverty Index (NMPI) for Bangladesh, the country has made significant progress in reducing poverty. For instance, the poverty headcount ratio based on the upper poverty line fell from 31.5% to 18.7% between 2010 and 2022. Additionally, the nation has continuously outperformed its Least Developed Country (LDC) companions, achieving most of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) related to the health and education of children.

Within this realm, schools at the primary and secondary levels have observed significant improvements in gender parity in the context of school attendance and completion rates. Explaining how the global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) is a measure of acute poverty, the NMPI’s (2025) data for Bangladesh found that “from 2014 to 2019, nearly 19 million people moved out of poverty, with the fastest progress being in Sylhet, the poorest region.” The report also suggested that Multidimensional poverty based on the gender of the household head was not significantly different between male and female-headed households.

Furthermore, other sources have reiterated the recent surge in progress in the country. A news source, Press Xpress, mentioned how the latest Household Income and Expenditure survey (HIES), 2022, showcased a decrease in poverty rates from 40% in 2005 to 18.7% in 2022. The report echoed similar findings to the previously described research, denoting that this decrease in poverty rates can be attributed to “overall improvement in people’s purchasing power, strengthening their ability to access basic items better.”

The article also noted improvements in women’s empowerment in the country. This is reflected in the growing participation of women in political discussions and arenas. It is also seen in visible advances in the health care sector, such as the recent community clinic initiative, which has contributed to a decline in maternal and child poverty rates in Bangladesh.

The Impact of Women’s Empowerment

A 2021 study centred on the impact of women’s empowerment on poverty reduction in the rural areas of Bangladesh added to the discussion. It signified that women and their spouses’ education was important in reducing income and multidimensional poverty in rural households. It gave women decision-making power regarding entering the labor market, reducing their economic dependence and holding down higher-paying jobs to support themselves.

Overall, the study found that women’s participation in income-generating activities and higher levels of education were essential factors in continuously eradicating gendered poverty. These factors also help strengthen the social standing of women in the community.

The SNAD Foundation Bangladesh

As a nation, Bangladesh has strived to achieve this dual purpose through various projects that have been implemented recently. One example is the SNAD Foundation Bangladesh (SNADF), a nonprofit organization based in Dhaka. SNADF is focused on “community welfare” and “prioritizing women and children, offering comprehensive education, training and skill development opportunities to empower them for a brighter future.” The NGO focuses on women’s economic empowerment through programs catered to skill-based workshops, vocational training courses and business development to help vulnerable women create dependable livelihoods.

The organization is focused on creating entrepreneurial and employment opportunities to enable women to be financially autonomous and stand on their own two feet. This mission aligns with SDG 5, which encourages the development of gender equality initiatives. Furthering the cause of women’s empowerment in Bangladesh, SNADF holds “awareness sessions” for families and community leaders. These sessions engage participants in discussions that question the gender status quo and encourage more open-mindedness.

Through regular monitoring, SNADF has empowered many women to start home-based tailoring businesses, gain stable employment and access microloans for growth. By linking program graduates with buyers and financial institutions the organization ensures a sustainable income for women.

The Naari Uddug Kendra Program

Another program is the Naari Uddug Kendra (NUK), a national nonprofit women’s organization established in 1991. The organization is “mandated to promote gender equality, human rights and foster personal and political empowerment of women and girls in Bangladesh.” Recognized as an advocate for gender equality, the NGO has received backing from individuals, governmental bodies and financial institutions.

An immediate goal of the establishment has been to make space for women’s representation in local government agencies, in the workplace and academic institutions.

Challenges Remain

Despite these developments in recent years and the considerable progress made in reducing poverty and gender equality in Bangladesh, much remains to be done. According to data collated by the World Bank, Bangladesh has experienced many setbacks since the interim government took office in 2025. In early 2025, the World Bank estimated that political upheaval would cause an economic slowdown in the nation, similar to 2020, the pandemic year, pushing extreme poverty to 9.3%.

This negatively impacted women, who are already an underrepresented and vulnerable population, facing unemployment rates and rising inactivity rates as high as 18% and 7.7%, respectively. While challenges persist, especially amid political instability and economic slowdown, Bangladesh’s story is one of resilience and hope. Significant advances made through initiatives like that of SNADF and NUK signal visible reductions in poverty rates and the gender gap in the country.

Through these initiatives and continuous governmental involvement, Bangladesh is creating opportunities for women to gain autonomy, education and move out of the cycle of multidimensional poverty that affects them daily. Though progress may be uneven and setbacks inevitable, Bangladesh is charting a path toward a more equitable future where gender equality is a reality.

– Vasudhaa Shakdher

Vasudhaa is based in Vancouver, Canada and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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How Mobile Libraries Fight Poverty Through Global Literacy Access

Mobile LibrariesMobile libraries are breaking barriers to education and aiding in the fight against poverty in underserved regions. From floating schools in Bangladesh to digital hubs in Ukraine, these initiatives prove that literacy is a powerful tool to fight poverty and build resilience.

Floating School Boats and Libraries in Bangladesh

Operating 111 floating school boats and libraries, Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha in Bangladesh serves more than 100,000 people in flood-prone areas. These boats do more than carry books; they are also equipped with solar-powered technology and classrooms, allowing for the assurance of the continuation of education during floods.

Each vessel teaches lessons in literacy, mathematics and other more specific topics like environmental awareness. In countries where flooding can disrupt thousands, innovations like these allow for education not to come to a standstill.

UNDP-Supported Digital Literacy Hubs in Ukraine

Repurposed libraries supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have become digital literacy hubs benefiting several Ukrainians. The program swiftly grew, beginning with 52 trainers who trained 235 administrators to host 135 events for 2,109 participants. It reached 25,391 people in 22 regions and Kyiv by the end of 2024 and 82% of them reported having strong digital skills following training, compared to just 17% previously.

Today, more than 3,000 libraries offer courses designed for senior citizens that cover everything from using e-services to cyber hygiene, AI tools and smartphone fundamentals. In 2025, new coordinators will receive Diia, AI and event planning training. By ensuring these abilities continue proliferating, educational tools turn libraries into centers of social resilience and economic opportunity. Besides mobile initiatives, UNDP’s impact is transforming library access into bridges for economic development.

Why Mobile Libraries Matter for Poverty Reduction

Mobile libraries are effective instruments for ending the cycle of poverty and offer more than just book delivery services. Research shows that access to mobile libraries significantly boosts reading comprehension, raising literacy scores by 3.3 points on standard scales and explaining 46% of literacy and reading ability variation.

This improvement goes beyond academics; literacy is a key tool in reducing poverty because it is directly associated with increased earning potential, better health outcomes and better employment opportunities. Mobile libraries remove barriers such as distance, cost and poor infrastructure, often preventing people in rural or disaster-affected areas from accessing education. They deliver books, learning materials and internet access directly to underserved communities.

Mobile classrooms and floating libraries guarantee that education continues even in the face of floods or other disruptions in vulnerable climate areas and they offer secure spaces for learning and socializing in regions affected by conflict. By making literacy attainable for all, mobile libraries promote long-term community development globally and empower individuals.

Moving Forward

These programs have repeatedly shown that people can change their lives when they have direct access to books, technology and learning spaces. This is especially true for those who live in remote, underserved or crisis-affected areas. The current challenge is to increase this reach. In addition to scaling up current programs, further funding would support innovative delivery strategies, the creation of locally relevant content and the incorporation of digital tools that equip communities to meet the demands of the contemporary economy.

Through universal literacy access, mobile libraries fight poverty by transforming reading into a domino effect of social resilience, economic opportunity and educational advancement. 

– Kyra Cribbs

Kyra is based in Charleston, SC, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Flood-Resistant Homes in Bangladesh Are Saving Communities

Flood-Resistant Homes in BangladeshRegarded as one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, Bangladesh regularly faces floods and cyclones that displace thousands of families. However, local innovators in Bangladesh are leading efforts to confront and adapt to the country’s growing climate challenges.

While the climate crisis demands international cooperation, local innovators in Bangladesh are taking action by developing affordable, flood-resistant housing to combat displacement and poverty. These low-cost, climate-resilient homes are helping protect communities once devastated by extreme weather events.

The Flooding

Millions of people across Bangladesh, India and Nepal have been affected by flooding. This crisis is projected to worsen in the coming years. These disasters not only force families to abandon their homes and seek refuge in temporary shelters, but also contribute to the rapid spread of disease due to the unsanitary conditions of contaminated floodwaters.

The impact is devastating, with families reporting the loss of everything, from their homes and financial assets to, tragically, loved ones. Beyond the personal toll, these disasters have broader socioeconomic consequences, as local economies in Bangladesh suffer from reduced productivity and long-term disruption.

A New Home

Local Bangladeshi engineers and entrepreneurs are now designing flood-resistant homes as a way to adapt to recurring floods. Recognizing that reversing the climate crisis is a daunting challenge, many are choosing to develop practical, community-driven solutions instead.

One famous architect in Bangladesh has developed a two-story housing solution built on bamboo stilts. While cyclones are short-lived, many floods in Bangladesh can last for months, making it essential to design homes that can endure prolonged flooding.

Known as “Khudi Bari” or “tiny house,” these low-cost flood-resistant homes in Bangladesh save communities through cheap yet effective construction, ranging up to $450 per build. Each home is also mobile, meaning it can be moved from one location to another, aiding these families when time matters the most.

A Short Yet Great Solution

Addressing climate-related disasters is a monumental and challenging task. Yet, low-cost flood-resistant homes in Bangladesh are playing a vital role in helping communities remain resilient amid the ongoing crisis. Thanks to these homes, families can now focus on rebuilding their lives. Parents can work to support their children and children can continue their education in a safe, stable environment. It may not be ideal, but it offers the best possible outcome in the face of adversity.

In addition to securing a future for vulnerable communities, these low-cost flood-resistant homes in Bangladesh also create jobs for local workers and artisans. The initiative is strengthening local economies and benefiting the region by sustaining livelihoods and generating new employment opportunities. Tackling the climate crisis is undeniably complex and filled with challenges. Yet, these homes make a tangible difference, strengthen communities, create jobs and set an example for other climate-vulnerable regions.

– Kallen Zhou

Kallen is based in Hattiesburg, MS, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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bKash: Digital Financial Inclusion in Rural Bangladesh

bKashThe inclusion of rural and low-income groups in financial services has been a contentious area of long-term struggle for South Asian economies. However, Bangladesh’s utilization of homegrown fintech company “bKash” is fighting this stigma, revolutionizing digital financial inclusion where typical infrastructure is sparse to lift millions out of poverty.

Changing the System

Launched in 2011, bKash entered a market where most of Bangladesh’s population was unbanked and infrastructure was limited. At the time, cash transactions and informal loans were often the only options available. bKash set out with a clear mission: to expand financial access for the country’s low-income majority. The platform allows users to send and receive money, pay bills and top up mobile credit using their phones. It also provides access to microloans — all without needing a bank account, cash, or informal lenders.

The basic financial tools this system offered millions have impacted the reduction of poverty in the nation. The Bangladesh Bank states that services like bKash have helped boost the country’s financial inclusion rate from less than 50% in 2017 to more than 65% by 2022. The app has increased financial connections between economic centers and the rural majority, leading to a growing trend of urban-to-rural remittance and greater involvement of middle-income investors in agriculture businesses.

Reducing Poverty and Increasing Development

By 2021, the app’s rapid growth had transformed digital finance in Bangladesh. Nearly 45% of people aged 15 and above were making or receiving digital payments. bKash alone had reached 67 million verified users, more than 40% of the country’s population, marking a sharp increase from just 29 million users in 2017. This dramatic growth reflects the platform’s expanding role in national development, particularly providing digital financial inclusion to disconnected rural areas.

The World Bank has especially highlighted bKash’s instrumental role in helping Bangladesh achieve Lower Middle Income Country status in 2015. It also credits bKash with driving progress toward the nation’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

A 2020 report by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) further underscores the app’s wide-ranging impact. It highlights that digital financial services like bKash have directly contributed to increased household incomes, improved financial transparency and enhanced access to credit. By creating reliable financial records, bKash has enabled many users to become credit-worthy in the eyes of formal lenders, unlocking pathways to business growth, education and health care and setting the stage for sustainable, long-term poverty alleviation.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bangladeshi government expanded the importance of bKash national infrastructure and relief, leveraging the platform to distribute emergency funds directly to vulnerable and isolated groups. This further highlights the ability of digital financial services to transcend low economic activity and restricted mobility, ensuring that income reaches recipients efficiently and securely.

Looking Ahead

Despite its transformative impact, mobile banking in Bangladesh still faces challenges, chief among them a digital gender gap of women significantly less likely to own phones or access mobile internet. This disparity prevents many women from accessing the full benefits of the growing mobile banking infrastructure. Bridging the gap through targeted education, digital literacy and affordable mobile access is essential to achieving financial inclusion.

As Bangladesh advances, platforms like bKash will remain powerful tools for empowering the impoverished, building financial resilience and driving inclusive, sustainable growth, even in the most remote areas. With the growing use of smartphones nationwide, bKash will remain especially necessary for providing digital financial inclusion to those unable to access traditional services.

– Thomas Finighan

Thomas is based in London, UK and focuses on Business and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Improving Economic Stability in Bangladesh

Economic Stability in BangladeshSince gaining independence in 1971, Bangladesh has seen impressive economic growth, with an average gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6.4% between 2010 and 2023. Poverty has even declined to 5% since 2022. However, there is still work to be done to improve the economic stability of Bangladesh so that the country can thrive.

Challenges

Bangladesh faces several obstacles on the path to upper-middle-income status. The financial sector faces numerous issues, including rising inflation and a balance of payment deficit. Private sector credit growth has decreased due to “tighter liquidity conditions, reduced demand for trade finance, and rising uncertainty.” In 2023, Bangladesh Bank’s reports showed an increase in loans written off, unpaid, or rescheduled, a detriment to economic stability in Bangladesh.

The industrial sector has taken a hit in tandem with Bangladesh’s financial woes. Due to disruptions in imports, high energy prices, and power shortages, production has slowed to a crawl. Furthermore, because of rising inflation, demand for products has decreased. GDP growth declined from 7.1% in 2022 to 6% in 2023.

Despite these challenges, Bangladesh’s young population, expanding digital economy, and ongoing infrastructure projects offer a path forward. With strategic reforms targeting financial stability and industrial resilience, the country still has a real shot at breaking free from these constraints and reaching its development goals.

Solutions

Bangladesh needs to strengthen trade competitiveness through reform to improve the financial sector. Suppose Bangladesh expands its export markets, develops trade skills, and monitors performance. In that case, its economy may improve through a diverse collection of imports made by a skilled workforce.

Another way to improve economic stability in Bangladesh would be to enhance domestic resource mobilization by deepening local capital markets. This would promote alternative solutions without a reliance on foreign capital. In addition to reforms necessary to improve stability, a group also aids low-income regions locally where poverty persists.

The Pathways to Prosperity for Extremely Poor People

The Pathways to Prosperity for Extremely Poor People (PPEPP) is a project focusing on poverty reduction within villages in Bangladesh. From October 2022 to September 2025, the project’s mission is to provide low-income districts with three important tools:

  • Sustained livelihoods and income 
  • Improved nutritional habits, primarily among women and children
  • Improved access to agricultural services to promote labor and receive wages

In addition to these objectives, the PPEPP project focuses on clean resources for impoverished districts, working to improve water salinization.

Between the broader solutions for banks and businesses and the narrower solutions taking place in their homes, Bangladesh has the potential to achieve upper-middle income status. Due to the change in government in 2024, Bangladesh has taken strides to improve economic stability. However, the risks to stability are still prominent. Therefore, if Bangladesh hopes to achieve upper-middle income status, its government has to be careful how it conducts itself in the future in these uncertain times.

– Matthew Perduk

Matthew is based in Chantilly, VA, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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How Employment in Bangladesh Is Empowering the Poor

Employment in BangladeshAn older woman, Sheela, lived in poverty in Dhaka, Bangladesh, when the nonprofit Payra offered her a chance to start a business selling saris (clothes). “She was really scared. But we got her a place so she was safe, we got her the products and after two months, we got her a new supply of products. After that, she was able to roll her money and get the products to run the business herself,” says Risalat Karim, who, as a student, helped found Payra.

Unemployment and Poverty in Bangladesh

Employment opportunities remain scarce in Bangladesh, even for university graduates preparing to enter the workforce. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh’s unemployment rate stood at approximately 4.7% in 2024. Each year, more than two million young people join the workforce. However, formal job creation lags, pushing many into low-paying, informal sectors. This persistent shortage underscores the critical role of job creation in tackling the country’s widespread poverty.

In 2016, nearly 90% of Bangladesh’s population survived on just $6.85 per day or less. This figure reflects the country’s deep-rooted income inequality and underscores the urgent need for sustainable economic development.

Barriers to Employment in Bangladesh

Many people living in poverty in Bangladesh are willing to work but face a severe shortage of employment opportunities or are systematically excluded from the labor force. With few options available, some beg on the streets to survive. “They’re hurt, they’re homeless. Some are blind, some are missing limbs,” said Karim. “We spoke with one man who didn’t have legs. He was interested [in working], but he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to do certain things.”

Beyond the natural challenges of finding work, some individuals in Bangladesh are trapped in street begging by dangerous criminal syndicates. These groups often prey on those already vulnerable, such as the homeless and unemployed, coercing them into continued begging through threats and, in some cases, physical violence. Disturbingly, there have been reports of syndicates mutilating individuals, including the deliberate removal of limbs, to increase sympathy from passersby.

According to Karim, this made security a major concern when approaching beggars and those who considered leaving the streets feared for their safety.

Employment as a Tool of Empowerment

Despite significant barriers to employment, conditions in Bangladesh have gradually improved alongside the country’s development. Data indicates a positive correlation between rising employment rates and GDP growth, with poverty levels steadily declining in recent years. As more people gain access to stable work, many have been able to break free from the cycle of poverty—and, in some cases, escape the control of exploitative street syndicates.

While Payra lacked the resources to drive large-scale societal change, the organization demonstrated that meaningful impact at the individual level is still possible. With just 20,000 BDT—roughly $164 per person—it helped several individuals escape poverty by supporting them in launching small businesses, including tea stalls, clothing shops and food vendors.

Women in the Workforce

There is a clear correlation between increased female workforce participation and the declining poverty rate in Bangladesh. “Before, there was a very low percentage of women working. Now, there are more working in industries like garments and food and that’s a leading reason why poverty data has decreased. Women being able to enter the market has helped families,” says Karim.

This trend aligns with broader economic logic: as more of the population gains access to employment, living conditions improve over time. Historically excluded from the workforce, women have played a critical role in this shift. Between 1974, shortly after Bangladesh’s founding and 2019, female labor force participation rose from just 4% to more than 36% and the upward trend continues. At the same time, the national poverty rate has steadily declined, highlighting the transformative impact of inclusive employment.

– Jesse Correll

Jesse is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Friendship: Support To Remote Communities in Bangladesh

Remote Communities in BangladeshBangladesh is situated in South Asia on the Bay of Bengal. It is the eighth most densely populated country in the world, with a population of more than 175 million in an area of 148,460 sq km. It is a country of striking contrasts: rich in culture and resilience, yet acutely vulnerable to the impacts of changing climatic conditions. Most of the country is situated only nine meters above sea level.

An estimated 3.5 million people in the low-lying delta region face increasing threats from rising sea levels and more intense monsoon seasons. Indeed, in 2022 alone, historic floods devastated northern regions like Sylhet and Sunamganj, displacing millions and severely disrupting transportation, electricity, health care and access to education.

Despite the risks, many of Bangladesh’s neediest communities live in low-lying coastal and riverine areas, lacking sufficient income to live in lower-risk regions. These zones are fertile and agriculturally productive. However, when floods occur, it is children and low-income families who suffer most, facing destroyed homes, lost livelihoods and health crises with little support.

From One Floating Hospital to a National Lifeline

In 2002, Runa Khan founded Friendship, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) with a radical yet simple mission: delivering support to remote communities in Bangladesh with reduced access. The initiative launched a floating hospital on the Jamuna River in northern Bangladesh. This aims to provide essential health services to isolated communities living on “chars”― sandbar islands that vanish and reappear with the tides.

Since then, Friendship has evolved into a wide-reaching, holistic organization. Today, its 5,000 employees ― more than 70% of whom come from local communities ― work to break cycles of poverty and increase resilience to the regional climate crisis. Its integrated approach includes health care, education, disaster preparedness, economic development and clean energy and water access.

Health Care and Remote Communities in Bangladesh

Friendship operates a unique three-tier health care system:

  • Tier 1: Two floating hospitals and two land hospitals bring lifesaving services to remote areas. The Shyamnagar hospital alone provided emergency services to 317 patients in recent years.
  • Tier 2: Two cervical cancer screening centers tackle Bangladesh’s second-most prevalent form of cancer, offering prevention and treatment in areas where such services are rarely available.
  • Tier 3: About 680 Friendship Community Medic-Aides, local women trained in basic medical care, offer antenatal, postnatal and child health services.

Powering Livelihoods and Clean Futures

Friendship’s Sustainable Economic Development program supports long-term resilience. In its innovative solar villages, 291 households, 62 shops, four schools and two mosques are now powered by 24-hour solar energy. This has enabled families to extend working hours, refrigerate food and medicines and improve safety and security at night. Clean water access is another priority. Friendship has also supplied more than 700,000 liters of clean drinking water to hundreds of families, drastically reducing disease.

Meanwhile, the organization’s farmers’ club provides sustainable farming training. It empowers more than 1,400 farmers to grow climate-resilient crops like sweet potatoes and mustard. Romesa Khatun, a club member, began using earthworms to make fertilizer in 2022, selling the product and using it in her vegetable garden. She says that the support of the club and Sherazul Islam, project officer at Friendship’s Sustainable Economic Development Sector, empowered her to embrace innovative farming techniques to support her family, especially when her husband is away for work.

These programs boost food security and provide more adaptive livelihoods to environmental challenges.

Hope from Within

In Bangladesh’s flood-prone coastal and riverine communities, poverty and climate vulnerability often go hand in hand. But through Friendship’s work with remote communities in Bangladesh, hope is taking root. What began as a floating hospital has become a nationwide lifeline. It delivers support to remote communities and uplifts them with health care, education, economic opportunity and climate resilience.

Rather than relying on top-down aid, Friendship invests in people ― training local women as community health workers, equipping youth with education and leadership skills and helping farmers adapt to a changing climate. Indeed, Friendship’s impact shows that locally led, community-focused development can help vulnerable populations chart a path toward safety, dignity and lasting change even in the face of rising waters.

– Holly McArthur

Holly is based in Somerset, UK and focuses on Good News and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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Social Safety Net Programs Are Fighting Poverty in Bangladesh

Fighting Poverty in BangladeshMillions of Bangladeshi citizens live in abject poverty. As of 2022, the overall poverty rate was approximately 19%. However, the country has made significant improvements in decreasing poverty over the past few decades, mainly due to the country’s Social Safety Net Programs (SSNPs).

The nation has implemented these initiatives to help low-income Bangladeshis and give vulnerable communities long-term economic stability. With programs that provide food assistance, cash transfers and skills development, Bangladesh’s SSNPs aim to create a pathway for success for many struggling citizens.

The Vulnerable Group Development Program

One of the most impactful initiatives, the Vulnerable Group Development (VGD) program, primarily helps women suffering extreme food insecurity. Due to gender disparities in the country, women often suffer the most when it comes to poverty and hunger. Originally started as the Vulnerable Group Feeding (VGF) program in 1975, it changed to the VGD in 1982, shifting priorities from emergency relief to long-term development. The program distributes nutritious food over a specific period.

However, the program goes beyond that. Through a partnership with BRAC, Bangladesh’s largest nongovernmental organization (NGO), it educates individuals in basic reading, writing and nutrition skills, giving people the tools to lead a healthier and more successful life. By providing both food and education, the program helps vulnerable women break the vicious cycle of poverty as opposed to short-term help.

The Old Age Allowance Program

As the country is experiencing an aging population, the government has acted on the need to protect older citizens, with many lacking retirement savings. Before the program started in 1998, only retired government workers had pensions. The Old Age Allowance provides essential monthly cash transfers of BDT 500 (about $4) to older people.

The program helps nearly four million elderly citizens afford basic human necessities such as food, medicine and shelter, improving their quality of life and fighting poverty in Bangladesh. The program’s financial assistance also eases the burden on young family members who might be struggling financially to support them.

Income Generating for Vulnerable Group Development

The Income Generating for Vulnerable Group Development (IGVGD) program is another initiative that builds on the VGD program. The government designed IGVGD as a two-step poverty-reduction model. It helps low-income women develop from needing food aid through the VGD program to becoming self-sufficient workers earning a stable income.

Women in the program learn essential job skills, such as poultry farming and tailoring, which are crucial for future success. They may also receive small loans or grants to help them start their own businesses. Encouraging self-reliance and assisting women to secure employment empowers them to impact society and contribute to a growing economy. Over time, these efforts give women more control over their lives and strengthen the economy of local communities.

The Impact of the Social Safety Initiatives

These social safety initiatives have proven successful in fighting poverty in Bangladesh. There has been a major national decline in poverty rates in the past two decades. Poverty fell significantly between 2010 and 2016; in urban areas, it declined from 21.3% to 18.9%, while in rural areas it declined from 35.2% to 26.4%. Additionally, helping women develop vocational skills shows the program’s commitment to women’s empowerment in a country that historically offered them limited opportunities.

Recently, the government has decided to expand its social safety initiatives. It is working toward using technology to improve targeting mechanisms. Many international development organizations, such as the World Bank and the United Nations (U.N.), have also supported Bangladesh’s effort to improve the country’s SSNPs.

Final Remarks

Overall, Bangladesh’s Social Safety Net Programs show how time and investment in often overlooked groups of people can have a tremendous impact in reducing long-term poverty. It shows the effectiveness of targeted intervention in reducing poverty and creating long-term economic stability. By supporting at-risk groups, such as women and older people, with food assistance, cash transfers and vocational training skills development, the programs address major societal problems while creating a path for long-term success.

– Rafe Photopoulos

Rafe is based in Gainesville, FL, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pixabay

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The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation: Improving Farmer’s Lives

Sustainable Agriculture FoundationThe Sustainable Agriculture Foundation provides agricultural support to smallholder farmers in developing nations to mitigate food insecurity, boost rural economies and make sustainable markets accessible. The foundation has worked with more than 1 million farmers to improve yield and advance economic prospects, with more than 700 farmer hubs in Bangladesh alone that have helped to improve approximately 595,000 smallholders’ yields and income levels.

Farming in Bangladesh

The majority of agriculture workers in Bangladesh are smallholder farmers. Limited opportunities to obtain training and use contemporary technology curbs farmers from working at a sustainable and attainable level. Bangladeshi farmers face the ramifications of extreme weather patterns which hamper the quality and quantity of crops. Deficient yields reduce the income made by smallholder farmers, significantly impacting their livelihoods and worsening their quality of life, according to the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation.

Agriculture and Poverty Reduction

Research indicates that approximately 70% of the Bangladeshi population live in rural areas, the majority of which have or are from a low-income background. Poverty in rural areas is often extreme and ensues at a higher rate than in urban areas. In rural Bangladesh, primary agriculture is the main employer of residents, with this type of agriculture remaining the least-productive.  A key driver of agricultural growth is technology that promotes high crop yields.

Agricultural technology has positive implications for the community. Due to the high proportion of people who live in extreme poverty and work in agricultural sectors, the development that new technology offers significantly helps to aid poverty reduction. Improvements in agricultural technology focus on productivity growth rather than resource growth. Instead of working to boost the availability of resources, such as accessing more water to grow more crops, new technology utilizes resources already in existence to improve and increase the productivity and quality of yields.

Growth Reducing Poverty

Growth in the agricultural sector is approximately two to three times more beneficial to poverty reduction than growth in other sectors. This is proportional to the rate at which poverty coincides with those in agricultural work; for example, those in developing countries may have a low level of literacy and therefore rely on agriculture for their livelihood.

Crucially, the advantages that agricultural development and technology present can be used in both coastal and inland regions. The stretch of these technologies is not geographically limited, making poverty reduction via agriculture technology an initiative that can be implemented across developing countries.

Enhancing Food Security

One way in which agricultural technology contributes to the alleviation of extreme poverty is by enhancing food security. Genetic modification bolsters food supply, which makes the availability of crops with desirable characteristics more prevalent. In turn, this increases the food supply and crops have high quality. Similarly, biofortification – the process of filling produce with nutrients – aids in the reduction of malnutrition and deficiency. Post-harvest losses are also tackled through agro-processing technologies that improve the quality, availability and accessibility of produce.

Agricultural technology also enables the use of territory surveillance, such as drones, to monitor and map the health of crops, allowing for early prevention if various issues in early stages. The technology also helps with weather forecasts, using sensors that make decisions on irrigation and crop control. The use of sustainable resources also augments soil health, pest control and water management by increasing effectiveness and decreasing dependency on chemicals and pesticides.

The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation in Bangladesh

The Sustainable Agriculture Foundation aims to improve the lives of smallholder farmers in Bangladesh by boosting economic growth and the livelihoods of locals via an emphasis on risk mitigation related to extreme weather patterns.

In Surokkha, Bangladesh, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation carried out an initiative that promoted risk mitigation measures for natural disaster adaptability. From September 2018 to September 2022, the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation targeted 233,000 farmers to improve the resilience of agriculture and create stable livelihoods for smallholder farmers. Alongside providing farmers insurance, the program also emphasized the projection of the crop insurance market.

The key measures included the building of insurers and stakeholders, improving farmers’ literacy and awareness, market development studies, weather index crop insurance product expansion and risk management studies.

The outcome of the initiative meant that 421,767 farmers held insurance for potato, rice and maize – a quarter of which were women. Additionally, the initiative developed 21 weather index insurance products and on average, 6.60 decimals per farmer land gained insurance. Significantly, a further 149,343 farmers received payouts of BDT 84,016,858.

The work of the Sustainable Agriculture Foundation has provided stability and insurance to thousands of smallholder farmers in Bangladesh, strengthening the community’s ability to handle extreme weather patterns and mitigate associated risks. In turn, the lives of those experiencing extreme poverty improved through the stability of the resources that agricultural technology offers.

– Ella Dorman

Ella is based in Worcestershire, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Women’s Education and the Work of JAAGO in Bangladesh

JAAGO in BangladeshAccelerating Action is this year’s International Women’s Day theme, calling for urgent efforts to advance gender equality matters. The 2024 Global Gender Gap report shows that although significant progress has been made and several economies reached higher gender parity scores this year, others are far from ideal results.

Southern Asia ranks last in Economic Participation and Opportunity and shows low rates of women employed in the workforce, with Bangladesh declining by -3.3 points in the global ranking. Bangladesh (31.1%), Sudan (33.7%), Iran (34.3%), Pakistan (36%), India (39.8%) and Morocco (40.6%) are the economies with the lowest economic parity.

Gender parity in projected earned income is less than 30% in these economies. Furthermore, all the economies on the list have labor force participation rates below 50%.

Education as a Pathway to Economic Freedom

Global studies have long shown that education is one of the most effective ways to combat poverty and reach gender equality. According to the World Bank gender data, women with secondary education earn nearly 20% more than those without and those with tertiary education earn up to 323.4% more. Educated women are also less likely to marry before 18, reducing risks associated with early pregnancy and improving overall family health.

Bangladesh excels in educational attainment, with a 94% achievement rate that reflects gender parity in secondary enrolment, 93% in literacy and 84.1% in university enrolment. Generally, Southern Asia has also made the most remarkable progress since 2006, improving educational gender parity by +13.4 percentage points – more than twice the leap made by the Middle East, Northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa regions during the same period.

The World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report also notes that 91.3% of girls and 74.8% of boys have completed lower secondary school in Bangladesh as of 2022. Hence, the female literacy rate rose to 84% in 2023.

The Work of JAAGO in Bangladesh

JAAGO is a leading foundation in Bangladesh dedicated to promoting gender equality and ensuring women have continued access to education. Its journey began in 2007 in a single room with only 17 children in the Rayer Bazar Slum of Dhaka. It aims to break the poverty cycle and ensure a bright future for children from underprivileged communities. JAAGO currently has 11 schools in 10 districts in Bangladesh, educating 5,000 children.

Through various programs, JAAGO has successfully implemented solutions to keep girls in school while fostering skill development. In many rural areas, schools are either too expensive or poor quality. To address this, JAAGO schools offer free education with highly qualified teachers. It provides online programs through the digital school initiative, ensuring access to quality education for all.

The Digital School Program of JAAGO in Bangladesh

JAAGO Foundation’s Digital School Program provides quality education to underprivileged children in remote areas of Bangladesh using online learning. It bridges educational gaps by offering interactive lessons, trained teachers and digital resources. The program focuses on accessibility, inclusivity and skill development, ensuring children receive a standardized education regardless of location. This initiative empowers students with knowledge and opportunities for a brighter future.

The program also focuses on delivering quality education and opportunities at every step, including counseling parents to encourage them to keep their daughters in school. Additionally, the programs provide medical and mental health sessions to ensure girls can continue their education without barriers.

ODOMMO

The ODOMMO project, launched by the JAAGO Foundation with the Malala Fund, promotes girls’ education in Bangladesh by tackling poverty, gender discrimination and societal barriers. It focuses on improving school enrollment, retention and learning environments. The initiative further includes teacher training, life-skills programs and school expansions, empowering girls to become future leaders and advocates for change.

The ODOMMO project has positively impacted 1,584 girls in Bangladesh’s flood-prone areas by reducing school dropout rates, increasing awareness about child marriage and encouraging greater participation in STEM. Additionally, the project conducted community-driven awareness initiatives, including courtyard meetings and discussions with school authorities, government officials and local leaders to advocate for girls’ education in the region.

Bandarban School Bus

Many impoverished families in Bangladesh struggle to afford schooling and recurrent flooding worsens job losses, making education even less accessible. In many cases, girls are sent to work or married off instead of continuing their studies, as families believe marriage offers them a more secure future.

Geographical challenges further limit access to education, especially in rural areas, where long and unsafe commutes discourage attendance. Without secure transportation or infrastructure, many girls cannot reach school safely.

The JAAGO Foundation launched the School Bus Initiative to tackle this issue, providing students with reliable transportation. This simple yet impactful solution has significantly increased attendance, ensuring more children, especially girls, stay in school. By removing safety concerns and commuting barriers, the initiative has helped reduce dropout rates, allowing students to focus on their education.

Volunteering and a Call to Action

Ensuring access to education requires a collective effort; governments, parents, corporations and communities all drive meaningful change. Raising awareness through social media campaigns, expert advocacy and corporate engagement can further mobilize resources and support.

Individuals and businesses can contribute by sponsoring a child’s education, covering school fees, meals, supplies, health check-ups and mentorship. Sponsors also receive monthly reports and can connect with the school or child via online calls or in-person visits.

Beyond financial support, volunteers play a key role in driving local change. During recent floods in Bangladesh, volunteers stepped up by raising funds, rescuing people, setting up medical camps and rebuilding homes, demonstrating how collective action can make a lasting impact.

– Arianna Distefano

Arianna Distefano is based in London and focuses on Good News, Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr