Bangladesh launches ‘Family Card’ welfare program for women

DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh has launched a new social welfare initiative aimed at supporting women-headed households, introducing a “Family Card” system that will provide monthly financial assistance to thousands of low-income families as part of a broader poverty-reduction strategy.

The program, unveiled at a public ceremony in the capital, is designed to expand social protection coverage by formally recognizing women as primary beneficiaries of government assistance. 

Officials say the initiative seeks to strengthen household financial stability while advancing gender empowerment in a country where women often shoulder primary responsibility for family welfare.

Under the first phase of the program, approximately 37,567 women across 14 administrative areas in Bangladesh have received family cards that entitle them to a monthly payment of 2,500 Bangladeshi taka ($20) deposited directly into their bank accounts.

Authorities described the initiative as a pilot program that will be expanded gradually after evaluating its effectiveness. Bangladesh’s leadership said the long-term goal is to extend the Family Card system to as many as 40 million households nationwide over the next five years, prioritizing families led by women.

The Family Card functions as a government-issued identification and welfare access card, allowing beneficiaries to receive regular financial transfers under social protection programs. Officials say the system is intended to improve transparency in welfare distribution and ensure assistance reaches households most vulnerable to poverty.

The first phase includes beneficiaries from urban informal settlements in the capital — commonly known as slums — as well as several rural districts across the country. In Dhaka alone, around 15,000 women living in densely populated informal communities have been enrolled in the scheme.

Bangladesh, a nation of more than 170 million people, has expanded cash-transfer programs in recent years as part of efforts to reduce poverty and strengthen social safety nets. According to government data, targeted welfare programs focusing on women and vulnerable families have become central components of the country’s development strategy.

Officials involved in the program say recognizing women as heads of households in welfare programs can help ensure that financial support is used directly for essential needs such as food, healthcare and children’s education.