‘Family Card’ Program Launched in Chattogram to Support Women-Led Families

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury on Tuesday inaugurated the ‘Family Card’ distribution programme in Chattogram, aiming to support low-income families and strengthen the financial capacity of women.

The inauguration took place on March 10 at the Chattogram Airport High School grounds.

Speaking at the event, the minister said the government has begun implementing its election pledges within a month of taking office. He stressed that Bangladesh’s future development depends on the economic empowerment of women, especially female heads of households.

Amir Khasru noted that women manage most family responsibilities, yet their contributions have often gone unrecognized. The Family Card initiative, announced by Tarique Rahman, aims to support disadvantaged families by directly transferring financial assistance to women.

Under the programme, Tk 2,500 will be transferred directly to the bank account of each female head of household, giving them greater financial control and support.

The minister said the cards were distributed without political consideration and that government officials independently identified the poorest families.

He also described the Family Card as a smart card that could be used in the future to access various government services. Additional welfare initiatives, including loan waivers for farmers and expanded healthcare support, are also planned.

The programme was held under the chairmanship of Dr Shahadat Hossain, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation. Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, State Minister for Chattogram Hill Tracts Affairs, attended as special guest, while Abu Sufian, MP for Chattogram-9, was also present.

In the first phase, 5,575 female heads of households in Chattogram city received the Family Card.