Social and Economic Transformation of the Ultra-Poor (SETU) project of CARE Bangladesh as well as massive social safety-net programmes of the government have transformed the lives of thousands of rural women living in the greater Rangpur region.
Previously, these women led miserable lives amid food insecurity during seasonal lean periods. However, now they have become self-reliant through collective actions and engagements in income generating activities (IGAs) with assistance from the SETU project and the social safety-net programmes of the government.
As this undertaking has been a massive
success, the government and the NGOs
working on rural
development should
implement similar
projects all over the country
More than 45,000 women were able to escape the vicious cycle of generational poverty during seasonal lean periods with continued support of the seven-year term project and have attained social, economic, political and women empowerment.
Under the project, total sanitation coverage is given within a month after identifying open defecation practice as a major reason for various water-borne diseases. In this way, the project ensured the physical wellbeing of these households. Moreover, the project focused on several different aspects of sustainable development and enhanced human, social, economic and political capitals of the communities.
The project also targeted other social issues plaguing these communities including child marriage, malnutrition, illiteracy and women repression. All able couples, pregnant women and adolescents have knowledge on health and hygiene.
The project is a huge milestone in sustainable development of rural communities. As this undertaking has been a massive success, the government and the NGOs working on rural development should implement similar projects all over the country.
The success of this project renews our hope of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. The country is now enjoying a fast GDP growth and is faring well in several other socio-economic indicators.
According to the government's "SDG Bangladesh Progress Report 2018," the country is doing well in various goals of the SDGs including poverty reduction, gender equality, electricity, sanitation and annual GDP growth. With proper planning and implementation, we can become a nation worth following in terms of development and growth.
