Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain. File Photo

SANGSAD BHABAN, June 14, 2026 (BSS) - Social Welfare Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain today told parliament that the government is attaching special importance to cottage industries and handicrafts as a means of improving the socio-economic condition of poor and destitute women.

Replying to a tabled written question from treasury bench member Nilufar Chowdhury Moni (women seat-10) in the House, he said the Ministry of Social 
Welfare has been implementing various training and income-generating programmes to help disadvantaged women become self-reliant.

"The Department of Social Services operates two socio-economic training centres at Mirpur in Dhaka and Shalbon in Rangpur where women receive 
training in leather goods production, block-batik printing, flower making, wool knitting, doll making, tailoring, embroidery, beauty parlour services, garment production and bamboo and cane crafts," he told the JS.

With Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal in the chair, the minister said women from lower and middle-income families are being equipped with practical 
skills that can help them secure employment or launch small businesses of their own.

Highlighting the government's efforts to integrate disadvantaged women into mainstream economic activities, he said, "Under programmes for improving the 
living standards of marginalized communities, women aged between 18 and 50 are provided training in sewing, cutting, block printing, batik and handicrafts. Through these programmes their skills are enhanced and they are engaged in income-generating activities, enabling them to become self-reliant."

He said beneficiaries are also provided with post-training assistance to help them effectively utilize their skills and establish sustainable livelihoods.

The minister informed parliament that the project titled "Improvement of Living Standards of Marginal Occupational Communities (Second Phase)" is 
currently being implemented to further strengthen the economic condition of disadvantaged groups.

Another project, titled "Improving the Living Standards of Marginal Farmers, Persons with Disabilities, Underprivileged People, Widows and Deserted Women 
of Joypurhat District through Income-Generating Activities in the Context of the Global Pandemic," is also contributing to women's economic empowerment, he added.

Replying to another question from the same lawmaker regarding old-age allowances, Zahid Hossain said the programme is being implemented in accordance with the Old Age Allowance Implementation Policy 2013.

"The programme was introduced to ensure social security for elderly citizens who are poor, have limited earning capacity or are unable to earn a livelihood," he said.

Regarding the preparation of beneficiary lists, the minister said, "Preparing new lists and updating existing records is a regular activity of the 
Department of Social Services and remains an ongoing process."

He said the government is committed to bringing eligible elderly citizens under the social protection framework through continuous updating of beneficiary databases.

The minister further noted that the number of beneficiaries and the amount of monthly allowances under social security programmes are reviewed and 
increased periodically.

"Under the social security system, both the monthly allowance rate and the number of beneficiaries are enhanced from time to time through decisions of 
the Cabinet Committee on Social Security Programmes," he continued.

"As this is a continuing government programme, efforts will be made to gradually increase both the number of beneficiaries and the amount of 
allowances in the coming fiscal years," the minister added.