Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid addressed the closing ceremony of the ‘National Conference on Social Protection-2025’ organized by the Cabinet Division at Bangladesh China International Conference Center today. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Sept 03, 2025 (BSS) - Emphasizing on making the social security network more integrated, inclusive and sustainable, Social Welfare Adviser Sharmin S. Murshid has said social security is not just a charity, it is also a humanitarian commitment. 

“Its implementation requires a concerted effort by the government as well as the private sector, civil society and international development partners,” she said.

The adviser said this while addressing the closing ceremony of the ‘National Conference on Social Protection-2025’ organized by the Cabinet Division at Bangladesh China International Conference Center here today.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Sheikh Abdur Rashid presided over the meeting while Cabinet Secretary (Coordination and Reforms) Zaheda Parveen, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Momtaz Ahmed, Member of the General Economics Division of the Bangladesh Planning Commission Dr Manzur Hossain, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf, Head of Development and First Secretary of the Australian High Commission in Bangladesh Syed Haider and Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP Sonali Dayaratna, among others, addressed the conference.

Additional Secretary of the Coordination Branch of the Cabinet Division Khaled Hasan presented the main features of the conference and the conference declaration. 

Sharmin S Murshid said the values of independence in 1971 and the biggest issue of the July Uprising were to build a society based on equality and justice. To this end, the interim government is implementing various social security programmes on a priority basis for the development of the marginalized groups of the society, she added. 

She said the first duty of the state is to ensure the dignity, food, shelter, health, and education of every citizen. 

“Bangladesh, which was born from the struggle of the people, must be built as a new one. We must be inclusive, we must be compassionate and we must achieve growth in all areas, which we could not achieve in the last 50 years,” she added.

The adviser said more effective implementation of these programmes and new initiatives should be taken according to the needs of the beneficiaries to ensure sustainable development of social protection programs. 

Sharmin, also Women and Children Affairs Adviser, said information-based planning and good governance are needed to increase social protection for women, children, disabled, elderly and other vulnerable groups. 

The process of beneficiary selection, allocation and monitoring should be made more transparent and accountable by using digital platforms, she added.