Of late, Bangladesh has set an ambitious target to reduce extreme poverty to 2.3 percent by 2031 and moderate poverty to below 3 percent by 2041. In order to chase this target within the stipulated time, we must address some key issues such as climate change, natural disasters and weak rural infrastructure which have long been deterring our efforts towards eradicating poverty. Also in order to diminish poverty, poor people's participation in economic activities has to be increased.
The present government has successfully reduced the country’s poverty rate by 50 percent in the last ten years. According to global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), Bangladesh is among 10 countries with a combined population of 2 billion to have made statistically significant progress towards achieving SDG 1.
More emphasis must be put on
creating jobs that can help people
come out of poverty
For many years poverty and Bangladesh were synonymous to the international community. The scenario has changed quite convincingly, and the country’s efforts against poverty are now very well recognised and admired throughout the world. The remarkable development that the country has gained over the last ten years of Awami League regime has instilled the confidence into people that becoming a developed nation is very much possible.
Bangladesh started its journey in 1971 with a poverty rate of 80 to 90 per cent. Since the inception of this country, the basic principle of the respective government toward development was poverty alleviation and to this day this continues. Though we have achieved huge success in poverty alleviation in the recent times, the rate of poverty reduction is not adequate compared to the country’s striking growth rate.
It is common that any kind of social or financial crisis hits the poor hard. Hence poverty alleviation is not just the responsibility of the government, it is also our collective responsibility. Though the government is providing allowance for the poor and needy, the amount is not sufficient. Therefore, apart from giving allowance, it is advisable to involve the poor in income-oriented jobs. More emphasis must be placed on creating jobs that can help people come out of poverty. Also the government and policymakers should give more priority to inclusive and micro-level development rather than economic growth only.