Experiences of older adults and widows with the government allowance programmes in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Sharmin Akter Shitol, Sara Nur, Mrittika Barua, Ving Fai Chan, Lynne Lohfeld, Abu Shonchoy, Nathan Congdon, Atonu Rabbani
Published : August 21, 2025 in International Journal of Social Welfare
Read Full ArticleThis study explores the experiences of older adults and widows in rural Bangladesh with digitized government allowance programs. While beneficiaries appreciated the convenience of mobile financial services (MFS) over bank collection, they faced significant challenges. These included demands for unofficial payments during enrollment, irregular disbursement timing, and difficulties accessing MFS accounts due to low digital literacy. Many relied on family or community members for help, often requiring them to share PINs, which increased vulnerability. The findings recommend enhancing local governance to reduce corruption, improving collaboration with MFS providers for timely payments, and implementing digital literacy programs to support independent access.