Human rights organization Manusher Jonno Foundation has initiated its month-long cash distribution program to support 15,380 marginalized women in 35 districts, who were severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Each beneficiary, selected through a rigorous process involving 42 partner NGOs, will get Tk7,000 through the program which began on Monday.
Some 391 citizens’ committees were involved in the selection as well as the cash distribution process.
The cash support is being provided under the Excluded People’s Rights (EPR) program, with support from the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), said a press release.
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The beneficiary list, verified by union parishads and endorsed by upazila administrations concerned, includes women from poor and marginalized communities, indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and plain land, Dalit and Harijan castes, Bede community, women with disabilities, transgender women and fisher folk.
Extremely poor women-headed households, widows, destitute women and victims of violence are also in the list.
Grievance redress committees involving 354 people have been formed to address any issues regarding selection and distribution.
Lauding the British government’s support, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said the program will help empower some 15,000 marginalized women to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and ensure their families’ wellbeing.
In September 2020, the MJF distributed Tk575 lakh to 23,000 marginalized households in 38 priority districts with support from the FCDO, the release mentioned.
