B Mirror Report: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today expressed optimism that the government will be able to bring four crore families headed by women under the Family Card programme within the next five years.
“I firmly believe that, InshaAllah, my government will gradually bring all four crore women-headed families of the country under this programme within the next five years,” 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 the Korail slum in the capital this morning.
Tarique Rahman said the government must follow proper rules and procedures when launching any new initiative. As part of that process, pilot projects are implemented first to test the programme before expanding it nationwide.
According to him, the Family Card programme has initially started in 14 places across the country, involving around 37,000 women. In the capital alone, about 15,000 women from the Karail, Bhashantek and Sattala slum areas have been brought under the programme on the first day.
Earlier, the prime minister formally inaugurated the government’s landmark initiative aimed at strengthening women’s empowerment by recognising them as heads of families in social protection programmes. During the event, he handed over family cards to 17 women beneficiaries.
Later, by pressing a button on a laptop, Tarique Rahman transferred financial assistance under the programme to the bank accounts of 37,567 women in 14 districts.
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 broader commitment to promote social justice and national development by empowering women and strengthening family-based social protection.
At the event, Rina Begum, a beneficiary from the capital’s Sattala slum, expressed her happiness upon receiving the card. “Thank you, the Prime Minister. I never imagined I would receive such support. This money will greatly help my family,” she said.
The pilot programme was launched simultaneously in 14 locations across the country, including Dhaka. In the first phase, 37,567 women have been selected as beneficiaries, each receiving Tk 2,500 per month.
Beneficiaries in Dhaka include residents of Karail, Sattala, Bhashantek, Mirpur Circle (Ward-8), Alimia’s Tech slum (Ward-14) and Baganbari slum.
Besides the capital, the programme has also been introduced in Pangsha (Rajbari), Patiya (Chattogram), Bancharampur (Brahmanbaria), Lama (Bandarban), Khalishpur (Khulna), Charfasion (Bhola), Dirai (Sunamganj), Bhairab (Kishoreganj), Bogura Sadar, Lalpur (Natore), Thakurgaon Sadar and Nawabganj (Dinajpur) as part of the pilot phase.
