Introduction
The government’s Mother and Child Benefit Program (MCBP) is a social safety net initiative dedicated to improving the health and nutrition of mothers and children in Bangladesh. Implemented by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA) with technical assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP), the MCBP ultimately aims to reach the 50% poorest children under 4 and their mothers nationwide.
Recognizing the critical role of resources and knowledge in improving nutrition, the MCBP provides monthly cash transfers to eligible poor mothers and facilitates community courtyard sessions providing nutrition behavior change communication (BCC).
IFPRI, in close collaboration with MoWCA and WFP, is undertaking a rigorous evaluation to assess whether the addition of top-up cash transfers or food baskets to the standard MCBP package will be more effective and cost-effective in improving nutrition and health outcomes of pregnant women and newborns in Bangladesh. The study is conducted in 6 upazilas covered by the MCBP program.
From May 2-4, 2023, members of the IFPRI research team visited the field to see the program in action. Accompanied by WFP and MOWCA, IFPRI visited program sites in Khulna district to observe the implementation of the standard MCBP activities as well as the IFPRI-supported top-up cash and food basket interventions.
Field-level insights from stakeholders
At a Union Digital Centre, IFPRI researchers observed how eligible women apply for MCBP. At the Centre applicants are asked questions to verify program eligibility and relevant information is entered into the MCBP’s secure online system. Applications are compiled at the end of each and given to the Union Council, led by the Union Secretary, who reviews and verifies the information provided and approves eligible women for inclusion in MCBP.
At the Union Parishad Chairman’s office, local authorities and the partner NGO IFPRI met with, confirmed that they have enrolled almost all the eligible women within the union. The program has been promoted through musical skits/performances (Jari gaan), door-to-door measures, other informal community consultations sessions etc. Local authorities stated that, while the program is running smoothly, intensifying campaign efforts may encourage eligible women to enroll earlier during their pregnancy, and hence, increase the program’s potential benefits.
During a household visit, IFPRI researchers spoke with a beneficiary who confirmed that she had received two top-up cash transfers as part of IFPRI’s research study, along with her standard MCBP benefits. She described how she withdraws the cash and showed the researchers the SMS notifications that those transfers had been added to her account.
Afterwards, the IFPRI team observed a courtyard nutrition BCC session. The training modules used in these sessions are approved by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and cover various topics on nutrition, health, early stimulation, and social communication to improve the nutrition status of mothers and children and child cognitive development. While the sessions are intended for women enrolled in MCBP, along with their family members, all community members are welcome to participate. A Community Health Care Provider led the session, using a flipchart and interactive methods to actively engage the participants. The session focused on the importance of foods in women’s diet during pregnancy and lactation.
The IFPRI researchers also met with Women Development Workers (WDWs), who described the efforts they make to ensure no one is left behind. They shared for example that, every month, they mobilize participants to attend the courtyard sessions; if participants miss a session, WDWs attempt to catch up with them during household visits to ensure they receive the necessary information and support to stay on track.
Finally, the research team also observed a food distribution organized at the Union Parishad Office. Beneficiaries presented their food cards to the local authorities and received the food rations (10 kg of fortified rice, 3.5 kg lentils and 1-liter fortified cooking oil). Several women were accompanied by their husbands, to help transport the food rations back home.
These valuable observations from the field gave the IFPRI team a much better understanding of how the program is playing out on the ground and helped to inform the study focus and methods.
Stay tuned to the Jibon project page as IFPRI’s research, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs and WFP, unfolds!
By Nabila Shaima, Research Analyst; Aklima Parvin, Senior Program Manager; Julie Ghostlaw, Country Program Manager