Dhaka, Mar 10, (V7N) – Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today said the newly introduced family card will become a source of strength and empowerment for women across the country.

Speaking at a family card distribution programme at the Combined UI Aleem Madrasa premises in Rahimanpur union under Thakurgaon Sadar upazila, the minister said the card will enable women to stand confidently in society and gain greater recognition within their families.

“With this card you will be able to stand anywhere with confidence. Through this card, empowerment will be created and men will start giving you importance,” he said while addressing the event as the chief guest.

Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for launching the initiative, Mirza Fakhrul said the government had promised before the election to introduce family cards and it is now fulfilling that commitment.

He said the programme has started on a limited scale but will gradually reach every household across the country. According to him, the government launched the initiative within just 22 days of assuming office.

The minister also said the government has already waived agricultural loans of Tk 10,000 for farmers and will begin canal excavation work on the 16th of this month to conserve rainwater for use during drought periods.

He added that every farmer will be provided with an agriculture card through which they will be able to buy fertiliser, seeds and irrigation services at fair prices.

Mirza Fakhrul said the country lacked proper rule of law over the past 15 years and people had suffered various forms of repression. He noted that previously cards could only be obtained through bribery but this time the programme requires no payment.

“No power is greater than the power of the people,” he said, adding that everyone will receive the card in due time.

He also said admission to a medical college in the district is expected to begin in 2027, while work on a university and an airport will also be initiated. Training programmes in freelancing will be introduced to create employment opportunities for young people, alongside measures to protect the younger generation from drugs.

Among others, Thakurgaon-2 lawmaker Dr Abdus Salam, Divisional Commissioner Shahidul Islam, Deputy Commissioner Ishrat Farzana and Superintendent of Police Belal Hossain addressed the programme.

Separately, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman said the government has formally begun its initiative to ensure economic empowerment of women through the nationwide distribution of family cards.

Speaking at a seminar titled “Fight, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls” at the Bangladesh Military Museum, he said the ownership of the cards has been given to female members of families, reflecting the government’s commitment to women’s rights.

He said around 37,000 family cards have been issued initially under a pilot project with the ownership given to the female head or another female member of each household.

According to the minister, if the programme receives adequate support it could benefit more than 40.01 million poor and ultra-poor families across the country, adding that the initiative will be implemented strictly based on eligibility without political consideration.

The seminar was organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation with financial support from the European Union and support from UN Women and the embassies of Switzerland, Canada and Sweden.

END/AJ/RH