The Non-State Actors Report on Social Protection: Mapping Social Protection for Marginalized Communities in Bangladesh provides a comprehensive analysis of the social protection landscape, with a focus on the unique vulnerabilities of marginalized groups. Despite Bangladesh’s notable economic progress, women, children, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, remote populations, and other disadvantaged groups continue to face systemic exclusion and multiple socio-economic risks. The study identifies eleven categories of marginalization—including socio-economic status, ethnicity, disability, age, migration, occupation, geography, and climate vulnerability—highlighting the intersectional nature of disadvantage.
The report reviews the policy and institutional frameworks underpinning social protection, including the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), and notes persistent gaps in coverage, inclusivity, and targeting. Through a mapping exercise, it examines the extent to which existing programs address healthcare, education, employment, housing, and resilience needs.
Key recommendations emphasize expanding coverage, improving targeting mechanisms, strengthening coordination among stakeholders, and enhancing monitoring and evaluation systems. The report also advocates specialized initiatives, such as vocational training for persons with disabilities, safe spaces for women, and expanded child support schemes. Ultimately, the study underscores the need for inclusive, evidence-based, and intersectional approaches to social protection that ensure resilience, dignity, and equal opportunities for all marginalized communities in Bangladesh.
