Bangladesh launches nationwide Family Card data collection

The Bangladesh government has launched a nationwide data collection campaign for its Family Card program. Under the supervision of the Department of Social Services, 66,815 collectors and 6,681 supervisors are conducting door-to-door visits to gather information from approximately 44.5 million families by December. The program aims to empower women by issuing cards in the names of female heads of households, facilitating social justice and economic independence.

The cards will feature dual chips, QR codes, and NFC technology, integrating with the government's payment system to allow beneficiaries to access allowances via ATMs, POS terminals, and MFS. For the 2026-27 fiscal year, 14,500 crore BDT has been allocated for this initiative, with 12,300 crore BDT intended for direct allowances.

Separately, the International Crimes Tribunal prosecutor, Gazi MH Tamim, stated that testimony in several high-profile cases involving former ministers, including Kamrul Islam, Rashed Khan Menon, and Anisul Huq, is expected to conclude by December. The tribunal is currently managing approximately 70 ongoing cases related to crimes against humanity, including investigations into the July uprising, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.