Rural Mother’s Center (RMC)

Half of the total population of Bangladesh is women, most of whom are disadvantaged living in rural areas. The Department of Social Services under the control of the Ministry of Social Welfare has been implementing the Palli Matrikendra program since 1975 for the empowerment, economic liberation and socio-economic development of these women. Family-based poverty is being reduced by organizing backward, deprived, poor and troubled women by ensuring active participation of women. Through these activities, the low-income backward poor women of the upazila level rural areas were organized and formed their own capital. Palli Matrikendra activities are being implemented with the participation of only women capable of giving birth.

At present, the program is running in 492 upazilas of 64 districts of the country. The main objective of Palli Matrikendra is to educate and motivate poor rural women on the benefits of small family formation, adult education, health and nutrition, mother and child care, as well as micro-credit for economic development of the poorest, generating savings and increasing income through profitable activities. Each member is provided an interest free micro loan of taka 5,000 to taka 20,000. The loan is repayable in 10 equal installments with 10% service charge for a maximum period of 1 year.

Recipient:

1. Resident of selected village

2. Member of the Palli Matrikendra Karmadal

3. The per capita family income is 3400 taka

Service Center:

492 Upazila Social Service Offices.

Functions:

1. Village selection

2. Village survey

3. Organizing the target poor population;

4. Formation of village / mahalla committees;

5. Provide literate knowledge;

6. Motivation on various social issues;

7. Family planning, backyard vegetable farming, social forestry, safe drinking water, sanitation, primary health care, nutrition awareness, family planning, pregnant mother care, child immunization, child marriage prevention, anti-violence and anti-dowry awareness, drug abuse prevention, Sending children to school etc.

8. Provide vocational and skills development training;

9. Application in the prescribed application form for obtaining microcredit;

10. Selection of suitable borrowers for socio-economic development;

11. Contract execution;

12. Providing interest free microfinance;

13. Cooperation in building organizations with own capital.

Term of service:

1. One month loan disbursement for 1 month after village / mahalla election (subject to receipt of allotment);

2. Reinvestment / 2nd / 3rd stage loan disbursement, 20 days after application.