Year
2025
Reform Domain
Women
Sub Domain
Law and legal framework
Source of Reform Proposals
Women's Reform Commission Report
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 29-Jul-26
This reform proposal has been articulated in the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission Report. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s manifesto for the 13th National Parliamentary Election also included directly related pledges: "Providing Family Card in the name of the female head of the family."
Observation
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The increased 142% from previous budget allocation for women in the FY2026–27 budget and the introduction of the Family Card in women’s names indicate progress towards gender-sensitive social protection. On 22 July 2026, while delivering the concluding speech of the second and budget session of the 13th Jatiya Sangsad, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman stated that the Family Card, Farmers’ Card, Sports Card and other government welfare programmes would gradually be brought under a single “Universal Card.” He also described social protection benefits as citizens’ rights rather than acts of state charity.
However, these initiatives do not yet amount to the enactment of a comprehensive law guaranteeing life-cycle-based universal social protection for all citizens. A detailed framework has not yet been published explaining how maternity benefits, child support, elderly care, and legally guaranteed and integrated protection for women, persons with disabilities and indigenous peoples will be incorporated under the Universal Card.
Resources