Family Card Scheme to Cover 4 Crore Families in 5 Years

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman spoke at the inauguration ceremony of the Family Card programme, organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, at T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to Korail slum on tuesday.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday said the government aims to bring four crore families headed by women under the Family Card programme within the next five years.

Expressing optimism about the initiative, the premier said the government would gradually expand the scheme nationwide to ensure financial support for women-led families.

“I firmly believe that our government will be able to bring family cards to all four crore women-headed families across Bangladesh within the next five years, InshaAllah,” he said.

He made the remarks while inaugurating the Family Card programme at a function organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare at the T&T playground in Banani, near the Korail slum in Dhaka.

The prime minister said the government must follow proper rules and procedures before launching large-scale initiatives, which is why the programme has started with a pilot phase.

The pilot project has been introduced in 14 upazilas across the country, covering about 37,000 women. In three areas of the capital—Korail, Bhashantek and Sattala slums—around 15,000 women were brought under the programme on the first day.

Earlier, the prime minister formally launched the initiative by distributing family cards among beneficiaries and handing over cards to 17 women at the ceremony.

He also transferred funds to the bank accounts of 37,567 beneficiaries in different districts by pressing a button at the event.

Among others present 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 effort to strengthen social protection and promote women’s empowerment by recognising them as heads of households in welfare schemes.

Under the pilot phase launched in 14 areas across the country, 37,567 women received family cards. Each beneficiary will receive Tk 2,500 per month.

Beneficiaries include residents of Korail, Sattala and Bhashantek slums, as well as communities in Mirpur’s Shah Ali area and Alimia’s Tech slum. The programme has also been introduced in several districts including Rajbari, Chattogram, Brahmanbaria, Bandarban, Khulna, Bhola, Sunamganj, Kishoreganj, Bogura, Natore, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur.

Rina Begum, a beneficiary from the Sattala slum, expressed her gratitude at the ceremony. “Thank you, Prime Minister. I never imagined I would receive this card. This support will help my family a lot,” she said.