Dr Matiur Rahman :
Social policy is a well-planned development guide for a society. The rapid development of Bangladesh from socio-economically backward, ensuring the fulfilment of basic human needs, getting rid of various social problems and providing satisfactory quality of life are nationally expected issues. And the importance of social policy in determining the practical course of action for these issues is immense.
Social policy plays an essential role in the social development of Bangladesh in all areas. These include tackling social problems, bringing about planned social changes, protecting the interests of neglected and deprived classes, overall growth, ensuring social security, eliminating prejudices, equitable distribution of resources and establishing social equity and equality.
Many other social problems like poverty, overpopulation, unemployment, ignorance and illiteracy, health and malnutrition, crime and terrorism, juvenile delinquency, militancy and religious bigotry, corruption, violence against women, dowry, ageing, child marriage and polygamy, money laundering, drug addiction and drug trafficking are hindering the public life in Bangladesh. Picked up these problems require well-thought-out remedies and preventive measures. And the importance of social policy is immense to give proper guidance in these cases.
The importance of social policy in bringing about the desired changes in the social life of Bangladesh and adjusting the people to the changing conditions is undeniable. The social policy gives all the directions in this regard, which are expected from everyone in the society and accelerate social mobility. In this case, the social policy encourages people’s social values, ideals, norms and behavioural changes to adapt to changing conditions and accept issues honestly.
Different classes and groups, including children, women, elderly, marginalized people, disabled, tribal, landless, and unemployed, are economically, socially, culturally and politically backward in Bangladesh. Beneficial activities are essential to preserving human dignity and rights. In this case, social policy plays a vital role in promoting the fortunes and interests of these classes by determining and implementing fair practices.
Overall social development is possible by modernizing the objectives and functions of various programs and institutions existing in society and their proper implementation. In this case, social policy is essential in accelerating overall social development by modernizing social institutions and harmonizing their activities.
Various social disasters such as accidents, premature death, old age, unemployment, underemployment, illness, and natural calamities (floods, droughts, cyclones, floods,) etc. are responsible for the economic insecurity and uncertainty in the public life of Bangladesh. Appropriate social security programs are needed to overcome these uncertainties and insecurities.
Formulation of appropriate social security measures requires well-planned social policies. So it can be seen that the importance of social policy in formulating social security programs to deal with the social and economic uncertainty of the people of Bangladesh is undeniable.
The importance of social policy is immense to building a constructive social environment through the proper use of human and material resources for social development. In this regard, the importance of social policy is immense to accelerate national growth by developing the talents and capabilities of the people and ensuring the best use of the country’s material resources.
Government and private organizations are engaged in human welfare in Bangladesh; proper use and optimization of services require adequate coordination. In this case, social policy is appropriate in taking the necessary steps for effective coordination.
Various vices and superstitions prevalent due to illiteracy and ignorance hinder social development. In this regard, the importance of social policy is immense in eliminating social evils and prejudices by formulating and implementing a modern and scientific education system.
Equitable distribution of resources is essential to ensure proper utilization of resources in overall social development. Lack of equitable distribution of wealth leads to social imbalance and disharmony, a barrier to social progress. Hence, social policy’s importance in ensuring equitable wealth distribution to eliminate inequalities in the economic sphere is undeniable.
Social policy plays a unique role in developing social relations and building constructive and cordial social ties between the people of the society. Apart from this, social policy plays a vital role in achieving the necessary social changes and proper distribution of wealth and rights in establishing essential freedom and equal rights for all in the society.
Social policy is an essential strategy for social development in the modern era. By formulating sound policies, every state tries to solve the country’s socio-economic problems and overall development. Social policies protect the interests of the deprived and provide social services and indicators of socio-economic development. The importance of social policy is immense for society’s overall growth and the people’s inclusive welfare.
(The writer is a researcher and development worker).
