Staff Reporter<:/strong>
A five-member high-level delegation from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) yesterday paid a courtesy call on Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Abu Zafar Md. Zahid Hossain (MP) discusses social protection in Bangladesh.
The meeting was held at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Secretariat office of the minister, according to a press release of the social welfare ministry.
During the meeting, both sides discussed opportunities for deeper collaboration, particularly in areas such as nutrition support for poor mothers, health and education for children, inclusive development for persons with disabilities, and food assistance programs for those affected by climate change-related disasters.
Both parties expressed optimism that the meeting would pave the way for enhanced future cooperation.
The Minister elaborated on the government’s ongoing initiatives in social safety net programs, women and child development, food security, and nutrition improvement for poor and vulnerable communities.
He emphasized that the current government remains committed to implementing its electoral manifesto and is actively working to improve the living standards of marginalized populations across the country.
Highlighting women’s empowerment as a key priority, the Minister stated that ensuring women’s rights, dignity, and economic independence is central to achieving national development and social justice.
As part of this commitment, the government has already distributed 37,814 family cards in a pilot phase within just 21 days of forming the government.
The delegation expressed its commitment to working more closely with the government to address food security in the country.
The meeting was also attended by Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Yasmeen Parveen, Joint Secretary Md. Firoz Uddin Khalifa, and other senior officials.
