By Arju A. Kathy, and A. Arifeen
The Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme has been at the heart of Bangladesh’s journey to modernize its social protection system and make it more inclusive, transparent, and gender-responsive. This flagship report, “From Strategy to Impact”, offers an in-depth assessment of how the programme has shaped national policies, built institutional capacity, and advanced reforms under the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS).
The document highlights SSPS’s contributions in driving a paradigm shift from fragmented, ad-hoc safety nets to a lifecycle-based social protection system rooted in constitutional rights. It showcases key achievements such as the development of the NSSS Gender Strategy and Action Plan, the design of a Single Registry MIS for better targeting, expansion of digital Government-to-Person (G2P) payments, and the introduction of results-based monitoring and evaluation systems.
At the same time, the assessment sheds light on persistent challenges—including targeting errors, low benefit adequacy, and structural fragmentation—that continue to limit the full impact of Bangladesh’s social protection spending. Importantly, the report emphasizes the programme’s role in promoting gender equality, with initiatives like the Mother and Child Benefit Programme, support for maternity insurance, and lessons from the SWAPNO project on women’s empowerment.
By linking strategy with action, this report not only documents the progress made but also provides forward-looking recommendations to accelerate reforms, strengthen delivery systems, and ensure that resources effectively reach those who need them most. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, practitioners, and development partners working to build a more resilient, inclusive, and equitable social protection system in Bangladesh.
