37,567 women-headed families to get Family Card in first phase

37,567 women-headed families to get Family Card in first phase

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the 'Family Card' distribution programme at the T&T playground in Banani, adjacent to the capital's Karail slum, at 10:00 am on Tuesday, March 10.

Under the pilot programme, a total of 37,567 women-headed families from various parts of the country will receive this card in the first phase.

Social Welfare Minister Abu Jafar Md Zahid Hossain shared this information at a press conference at the Secretariat on Monday, March 9.

The minister said this initiative has been taken with the aim of women's empowerment and establishing social justice. By recognising women as heads of families, 'Family Cards' will be provided in their names to facilitate easy access to various social protection benefits.

Under the pilot project, the programme is being implemented in 15 wards of 13 city corporations and unions across 13 districts of the country.

The minister informed that since the entire process is completed through a software-based proxy means test, there is no scope for corruption, nepotism or manual interference in selecting beneficiaries.

Each women-headed family will be given a modern smart card. This card, equipped with a contactless chip, uses QR code and NFC technology, making it secure and durable.

Up to five members of a family will receive benefits through one card. However, for joint or undivided families with more than five members, the provision of providing multiple cards on a pro-rata basis will be considered.

During the pilot phase, beneficiary families will receive a monthly allowance of Tk 2,500. Later, providing food assistance of equivalent value is under consideration.

However, if the selected woman head of household is already receiving any other government allowance or assistance, her previous benefit will be considered cancelled. Other family members, however, will be able to continue receiving their benefits.

During the pilot phase, if any family member receives salary-allowance, grants or pension from government, autonomous or state-owned institutions, or if the woman head of household is employed in MPO-listed institutions, that family will not be considered eligible for the allowance.

The minister informed that Tk 38.07 crore has been allocated for implementing the pilot project until June 2026. Of this, Tk 25.15 crore (66.06 per cent) will be given as direct cash assistance, and Tk 12.92 crore (33.94 per cent) will be spent on data collection, online system development, card preparation and other implementation sectors.

The 'Family Card Piloting Implementation Guidelines, 2026' has been formulated and published on the Ministry of Social Welfare's website, the minister said.