New National Social Security Strategy next year: Cabinet secretary

Highlights:

• There are over 90 social protection programmes, which serve:
• 1.77 million mothers and children,
• Nearly 2.9 million vulnerable women
• 6.1 million elderly people
• 3.5 million persons with disabilities
• New National Social Security Strategy to be drafted next year

The government will draft a new National Social Security Strategy next year, including fresh measures to eradicate poverty, Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid said today (3 September).

There are currently over 90 social protection programmes in the country. Although the programmes have served millions of vulnerable women, children and elderly people, the current social protection system is not without flaws and limitations. Mistakes often occur while identifying vulnerable individuals, leaving eligible persons out of the safety net. 

Government officials and experts shared this information and insights at the closing session of the three-day National Conference on Social Protection held at the China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka today.

Experts at the conference also emphasised correctly identifying the beneficiaries and stronger monitoring to ensure that the benefits of such programmes actually reach the poor and vulnerable groups.

They emphasised that properly including the truly poor, people with disabilities, the vulnerable middle class, women, and children in the new social protection programmes requires political will. Without it, the proper implementation of social protection programmes will not be possible.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid announced at the event that a new National Social Security Strategy will be drafted next year, incorporating the recommendations from the three-day conference.

Officials highlighted the limitations of current programmes.

"The current social protection system has a number of problems and limitations. Mistakes occur in identifying specific groups or individuals, which results in eligible persons being excluded while ineligible persons are included," Dr Monzur Hossain, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division of the Planning Commission, said while speaking at the closing session.

Some programmes also have vague definitions, while many are fragmented and lack coordination. Although digital platforms have reduced targeting errors to some extent, these cannot be eliminated unless policymakers and political leaders agree on whether such programmes are meant exclusively for the poor or for everyone.

He said, "We must move towards a comprehensive social protection system, ultimately leading to a universal one. The current system helps reduce poverty somewhat, but it is not enough to lift people fully out of poverty. Some programmes can be universally targeted (such as old-age allowance), extending beyond poverty lines to everyone. This is important for ensuring equality and overall development."

He added that there are currently over 90 social protection programmes. If these can be consolidated into 20–25 comprehensive schemes, management will become easier and benefits will increase.

Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP, said Bangladesh is nearing the end of implementing the 2016 National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), and it is now time to assess what has worked, where the gaps remain, and how to strengthen the system for the future. "There will always be room for improvement, but this is the time for implementation and action. We must reach those who have no other alternatives," she said.

She stressed that benefits must go to those who need them the most. To achieve this, better systems, stronger human capacity, and above all, political will are necessary.

Sonali added that there is a need for a reliable social registry free from weak monitoring, poor evaluation, and political influence. "Inconsistencies still exist in many areas. We must address these limitations, redesign policies, and create an effective system through innovative approaches."

She also said that although rural needs are prioritised, challenges faced by the urban poor have also been examined. Social insurance, maternal and child protection programmes, and employment initiatives were reviewed. Empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities is essential to making social protection inclusive and transformative. As Bangladesh moves towards 2026, the recommendations of this conference will form the basis for shaping the next generation of social protection policies and programmes.

Sharmeen S Murshid, adviser to the ministries of social welfare and women and children, spoke as the chief guest at the closing session. She said, "Our long journey in social protection has been remarkable. We have moved from relief and charity to rights-based approaches, from paper to digitalisation, from crisis management to self-management, and from fragmented methods to a more integrated system. 

"We are not yet fully successful, but we are on the right track and have made much progress. On this journey, we have reached millions—1.77 million mothers and children, nearly 2.9 million vulnerable women, 6.1 million elderly people, and 3.5 million persons with disabilities. These are huge numbers, and they have increased further after the recent July movement."

She added, "Social protection is not charity, it is justice. It is a shield against hunger and despair. We can envision a new Bangladesh that will not fall into the trap of destructive capitalism. We will harness the power of social business, where profit serves people, nature, and the planet."

Cabinet secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid said, "As speakers at the conference said, equality does not mean everyone gets the same opportunities. Those who need it most must get greater opportunities. Growth must be accompanied by justice. 

"Without justice, no growth, development, or other values can be sustained. We must eliminate problems deeply entrenched in our system. We must face our mistakes. We are not here just to manage poverty, we are here to eradicate it."