As Bangladesh celebrates Eid-ul-Azha, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gifts homes to 18,566 families, marking significant progress in the Ashrayan-2 Project and national development.
As Bangladesh gears up to celebrate the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Azha, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced a special Eid gift that will bring joy and hope to thousands of families across the country. In a remarkable initiative, the Prime Minister is set to provide houses to 18,566 homeless and landless families, marking a significant step towards inclusive development and the fulfilment of the nation’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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This Eid gift is part of the second stage of the fifth phase of the Ashrayan-2 Project, a long-running initiative aimed at rehabilitating the landless, homeless, marginalized, and helpless poor. The Ashrayan Project was introduced by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1972 to rehabilitate homeless people, and his daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, has continued this legacy by providing ownership of houses and lands to the homeless and landless through the Ashrayan Project since 1997.
The Ashrayan Project, which has been running for more than two decades, has three primary objectives:
- Rehabilitate the landless, homeless, marginalized, and helpless poor
- Empower them for livelihood through credit and training
- Eradicate poverty by creating income-generating activities
A Home for Every Family
In line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directive that “not a single person in Bangladesh will remain homeless” during the Mujib Year, policies were formulated to compile a list of landless and homeless families. This list was created by a committee consisting of local people’s representatives, district commissioners, upazila executive officers, other upazila officials, and UP Chairmen. Based on this comprehensive list, housing is being provided for every eligible family.
Bangladesh’s Remarkable Strides: Sustainable Progress and Inclusive Housing
One of the country’s flagship initiatives, the Ashrayan-2 Project, exemplifies this commitment to inclusive development. In the project’s 5th phase, the remaining 18,566 families are being provided with housing, marking a significant stride towards eradicating homelessness and landlessness.
This collaborative effort has led to a remarkable achievement, with a total of 394 upazilas, including all the upazilas of 32 districts, being declared landless and homeless-free in six installments. On June 11, a total of 70 upazilas across 26 districts were declared completely landless and homeless-free, representing a significant milestone in the project’s progress.
According to sources within the Prime Minister’s Office, the distribution of houses in the second stage of the fifth phase is as follows:
Each housing unit comprises two rooms, a kitchen, a toilet, and a veranda. Additionally, each family has been provided with ownership documents for two decimals of land alongside the houses.
To date, a total of 58 districts and 464 upazilas have been declared completely free from landlessness and homelessness.
In line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directives, the Ashrayan Project will persist until the entire nation achieves freedom from landlessness and homelessness.
Inclusive Development and Women’s Empowerment
The “Sheikh Hasina Model of Inclusive Development” aims to make economic development sustainable in the long term by incorporating landless, homeless, and dispossessed people into inclusive development through the Ashrayan Project.
To promote women’s empowerment, ownership of sheltered houses and land is granted jointly to husbands and wives. Rehabilitated families also receive training on saving money and productive skills, while modern civic amenities like electricity and drinking water are provided in every house.
To further promote women’s empowerment and gender equality, ownership of the sheltered houses and land is granted jointly to both husband and wife. This ensures that women have equal rights and access to housing resources, fostering their economic and social empowerment.
Rehabilitated family members are also receiving training on saving money and various productive skills, equipping them with the tools to build a better future. Furthermore, modern civic amenities, including free electricity connections and drinking water facilities, are being provided in every house, contributing to improved living standards.
Aligning with Sustainable Development Goals
Bangladesh’s Ashrayan Project, a flagship initiative aimed at providing housing and land ownership to homeless and landless families, aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), demonstrating the country’s commitment to achieving these global targets.
SDG 1 (No Poverty): By offering permanent housing and land ownership, the Ashrayan Project directly tackles poverty alleviation, a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of poverty. This initiative complements Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in reducing the national poverty rate to 18.7% in 2022, with rural areas at 20.5% and urban areas at 14.7%, down from 24.3% in 2016, according to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey.
SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): The Ashrayan Project promotes inclusive and sustainable human settlement development by providing safe, affordable, and accessible housing for marginalized sections of society. This contributes to the creation of inclusive and resilient communities.
SDG 5 (Gender Equality): By granting joint ownership of houses and land to both husbands and wives, the Ashrayan Project ensures equal rights and access to housing resources, promoting women’s empowerment. This initiative complements Bangladesh’s steady rise in female labor force participation, which increased from 32.4% in 2021 to 42.7% in 2022, according to the 2022 Global Gender Gap Index.
SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By targeting homeless and landless families, who often belong to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, the Ashrayan Project aims to reduce inequalities within the country. Providing secure housing and land ownership helps bridge the gap and promote social inclusion, aligning with Bangladesh’s efforts to create an equitable society.
Furthermore, the Ashrayan Project aligns with the broader goals of sustainable development by providing access to basic amenities like electricity and drinking water facilities in the houses. This comprehensive approach not only addresses housing needs but also contributes to improving the overall quality of life for the beneficiaries, ensuring a holistic and sustainable approach to development.
Conclusion
In line with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directives, the Ashrayan Project will continue until the entire country is free from landlessness and homelessness. Through this comprehensive initiative, Bangladesh is taking strides towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey towards inclusive development and a prosperous future for all.
