Enablers and Challenges: Key Determinants Shaping Digital Cash Transfers in Bangladesh’s Social Safety Net Programs

This chapter looks at how Bangladesh’s Social Safety Net (SSN) programs use digital cash transfers and how technology infrastructure, digital skills, government processes, and socioeconomic variables affect their success. Digital access is based on technical infrastructure, which includes having a cell phone, being able to get online, and making sure the platform is strong. However, there are problems, including poor connections and technical issues. People need to be digitally literate in order to have the abilities they need to use digital platforms. On the other hand, women and elderly persons are usually not as good at using computers as younger people are. This highlights how crucial it is to deliver personalised training and make sure digital tools are simple to use. People in rural locations do not trust the government as much as they should, but they do trust it because it is transparent, accountable, and supports good policies. A person’s socioeconomic situation, gender roles, and where they reside have a big impact on their access. People who reside in distant areas, women, and families with low incomes have it the worst. We need to enhance infrastructure, train more people how to use technology, empower governance, and eliminate social inequality so that everyone can utilise digital cash transfers fairly, quickly, and easily. Ultimately, this will enable all individuals who receive money to do so safely and independently.