Social Security Program for the Bede Community: Savar Upazila Perspective

Bede, also known as Baidya (feminine: Bedeni) or Manta, are a nomadic Indo-Aryan people of Bangladesh who have been neglected and backward since ages. To bring them into the mainstream of the society and for the overall development of the country, it is very important to preserve the basic rights of these neglected and backward groups by ensuring social justice, developed socio-economic conditions, proper educational system, permanent habitation, proper health services and all the social security programs supported by the government. To improve the quality of life of the Bede community, the government of Bangladesh has introduced a unique program called “Livelihood Development Program for Bede Community”. The main objective of this study is to be informed to what extent this government supported program is effective for the Bede community. Mixed method is used in this exploratory study. Here, Survey method is conducted for quantitative data, Case study and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) is used for qualitative data. Quantitative data has been collected from 100 selected Bede people through purposive sampling from the Bede community who resides in Savar Upazila of Dhaka district where the Department of Social Services is running the government program for them. Among the surveyed population, a maximum of 40% Bede are between 30-40 years of age, and 50% of them are illiterate. But 20% of Bede have educational qualifications at the primary level. Under this program, the Government provides Allowance for them. 40% Bede received their first allowance in the 2015-16 financial year, while 66% Bede people used the allowance money for medical purposes and 40% Bede expressed satisfaction with receiving the allowance. Government also introduced the Education Stipend for Bede students. 40% of Bede students have received educational opportunities through this stipend and they are very satisfied. 33% of the surveyed Bede people received training on beautification and they are satisfied. Government also provides post training grants for their self-establishment.