Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said the government plans to bring around four crore families, headed by women, under the Family Card programme within the next five years.
“I firmly believe that my government will be able to gradually bring this family card to all four crore families in Bangladesh, headed by women, within the next five years, InshaAllah,” the prime minister said.
He made the remarks while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card programme organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare at the T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to Korail slum, in the capital this morning.
The premier said the government must follow proper rules and procedures when implementing major initiatives, and therefore the programme has begun with a pilot project.
Under the pilot phase, the programme has been launched in 14 locations across the country, covering around 37,000 women. In the capital alone, about 15,000 women from the Karail, Bhasantek and Sattala slum areas have been brought under the programme.
Earlier at the event, the prime minister formally inaugurated the government’s landmark Family Card programme aimed at empowering women and strengthening social protection.
He handed over Family Cards to 17 women beneficiaries and later transferred funds to the accounts of 37,567 women in 14 locations across different districts by pressing a button on a laptop.
Among others present at the ceremony were Dr Zubaida Rahman, spouse of the prime minister; Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md Zahid Hossain; State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin; Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf; and Dhaka North City Corporation Administrator Shafiqul Islam Khan.
The Family Card programme is part of the government’s effort to ensure social justice and promote national development by recognising women as heads of families in social protection initiatives.
At the ceremony, Rina Begum, a beneficiary from Sattala slum in the capital, expressed her gratitude, saying the financial support would greatly help her family.
The pilot programme has been launched in 14 areas across the country, including Pangsha in Rajbari, Patiya in Chattogram, Bancharampur in Brahmanbaria, Lama in Bandarban, Khalishpur in Khulna, Charfasion in Bhola, Dirai in Sunamganj, Bhairab in Kishoreganj, Bogura Sadar, Lalpur in Natore, Thakurgaon Sadar and Nawabganj in Dinajpur.
Under the first phase, 37,567 women are receiving Family Cards and each beneficiary will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 2,500.
Beneficiaries in the capital include residents of Karail slum, Sattala slum, Bhasantek slum, Shah Ali’s Ward-8 in Mirpur Circle, Alimia’s Tech slum in Ward-14 and Baganbari slum.