Social Safety Net Programmes in Bangladesh: A Review

The major social safety net programmes (SSNPs) in Bangladesh can be divided under four broad categories: (i) employment generation programmes; (ii) programmes to cope with natural disasters and other shocks; (iii) incentives provided to parents for their children’s education; and (iv) incentives provided to families to improve their health status. The SSNPs can also be grouped into two types depending on whether these involve cash transfers or food transfers. The review indicates that SSNPs in Bangladesh have led to increased school enrolment and attendance especially among girls in secondary schools and closing the gender gap; additional employment generation; provision of food during crisis; building infrastructure; and increased access to and utilisation of maternal health care services. Such programmes deserve high priority to ensure the rights and entitlements of the disadvantaged groups, including the urban poor and the poor living in rural areas. The policy implications of the lessons learned indicate the need to sustain high-level political commitment, strengthen programme management, better targeting of beneficiaries, minimise leakages, improve financial management and payment systems, and strengthen monitoring and supervision.