Table of Contents

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 2
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ............................................................................................. 2
Background ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Goals of SDGs.................................................................................................................................... 4
Social Development ............................................................................................................................... 5
Social Development and SDGs ............................................................................................................. 5
SDGs and 7th Five Years Plan .............................................................................................................. 7
Targets and Programs to Implement SDGs in Bangladesh .............................................................. 8
Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere ................................................................................ 8
Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable
agriculture ......................................................................................................................................... 10
Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well‐being for all at all ages ........................................... 12
Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all ........................................................................................................................... 14
Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls ............................................... 15
Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all ............. 16
Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries ................................................................. 18
Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to
justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels...................... 19
National Plan to Implement SDGs .................................................................................................... 21
Importance of SDGs for Social Development ................................................................................... 21
Challenges to Implement SDGs in Bangladesh ................................................................................ 22
Role of Social Workers to Implement SDGs for Social Development ............................................ 24
Conclusion ........................................................................................................................................... 25
Sources: ................................................................................................................................................ 26

1
Introduction

The United Nations undertook the ambitious goal to end poverty, hunger and inequality
worldwide at the 70th General Assembly in September 2015 at its Head Quarter in the USA.
About 200 countries, the members of the UN, agreed the sustainable development Goals
(SDGs) at the General Assembly for the Post-2015 Development Agenda for the next 15
years. The 2030 global agenda for sustainable development is a plan of action for the people,
planet and prosperity of the humanity. It seeks to transform the world towards an
economically growing, socially just and environmentally sound new heights which are
mutually inter-related and re-enforcing each other. The global leadership has recognized that
eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions including extreme poverty and hunger is
the greatest global challenge and urgent requirement for sustainable development. The UN
took the pledge that no one will be left behind. Built on the MDGs, 17 sustainable
development goals and 169 targets were adopted in the SDGs. At the 70th anniversary of the
UN, the Heads of the State and UN high officials have adopted the decision on a
comprehensive, far-reaching and people centered set of universal and transformative goals
and targets. SDGs are closely related to social development. Goals are set on poverty, hunger
, violence, health issues, equality, income, sanitation and justice that are important indicators
of social development.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a
universal call to action to end poverty, protect
the planet and ensure that all people enjoy
peace and prosperity. These 17 Goals build on
the successes of the Millennium Development
Goals, while including new areas such as
climate change, economic inequality,
innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and
justice, among other priorities. The goals are
interconnected – often the key to success on
one will involve tackling issues more
commonly associated
withanother.(http://www.bd.undp.org/content/b
angladesh/en/home/sustainable-development-
goals.html )

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (or Global Goals for Sustainable Development)
are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations General Assembly. The SDGs
are part of Resolution 70/1 of the United Nations General Assembly: "Transforming our
World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development." That has been shortened to "2030
Agenda." The goals are broad and interdependent, yet each has a separate list of targets to
achieve. Achieving all 169 targets would signal accomplishing all 17 goals. The SDGs cover
social and economic development issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, global
warming, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, urbanization, environment and social
justice. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_Development_Goals )

2
The SDGs work in the spirit of partnership and pragmatism to make the right choices now to
improve life, in a sustainable way, for future generations of world countries. They provide
clear guidelines and targets for all countries of the world to adopt in accordance with their
own priorities and the environmental challenges. The SDGs are an inclusive agenda. The
United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) administrator Achim Steiner said that
"Poverty eradication is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda, and so is the commitment to leave no
one behind. The Agenda offers a unique opportunity to put the whole world on a more
prosperous and sustainable development path. In many ways, it reflects what UNDP was
created for". (https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views/sdgs-challenges-bangladesh-faces-in-
achieving-the-goals-1518791843 )

Background
The concept of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was born at the United Nations
Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20, in 2012. The objective was to produce a
set of universally applicable goals that balances the three dimensions of sustainable
development: environmental, social, and economic. At the seventieth session of the UN
General Assembly on 25 September 2015, the member states adopted the SDGs. The 193
member states have committed to work towards implementing the goals within their own
countries and at the regional and global levels. Total17 Goals with 169 associated targets
came into effect on 1 January 2016 which will guide the international development agenda
over the next 15 years.

Figure: Key Principles of the SDGs

The 2030 global agenda for sustainable development is a plan of action for the people, planet
and prosperity of the humanity. It seeks to transform the world towards an economically
growing, socially just and environmentally sound new heights which are mutually inter-
related and re-enforcing each other. The global leadership has recognized that eradicating
poverty in all its forms and dimensions including extreme poverty and hunger is the greatest
global challenge and urgent requirement for sustainable development. The UN took the
pledge that no one will be left behind. The 2030 development agenda was accepted by all

3
countries and they are committed to implement the SDGs taking into account the different
national realities, capabilities and level of development. (Source:
http://www.sdg.gov.bd/page/background)

Goals of SDGs
The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a new, universal set of goals, targets and
indicators that UN member states will use to frame their development agendas and political
policies over the next 15 years. On September 25th 2015, countries adopted SDGs to end
poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable
development agenda. The commitment to “leave no-one behind” is a key feature of the
SDGs. The goals are not considered to have been met if those who are most vulnerable and
hard to reach are not included.
The 17 goals of SDGs:

Figure: 17 Goals of SDGs

Goal 1: No Poverty
Goal 2: Zero Hunger
Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being for People
Goal 4: Quality Education
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities
Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 14: Life Below Water
Goal 15: Life on Land
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
(Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd/)

4
Social Development
Social development is about putting people at the centre of development. This means a
commitment that development processes need to benefit people, particularly but not only the
poor, but also a recognition that people, and the way they interact in groups and society, and
the norms that facilitates such interaction, shape development processes (
http://www.indsocdev.org).

Social development theory attempts to explain qualitative changes in the structure and
framework of society, that help the society to better realize aims and objectives
(https://en.wikipedia.org).

According to Amartya Sen (1995), ‘Social Development is equality

of social opportunities.’

James Midgley (1995) has had a decisive impact on the international discussion on
social development. He conceives it as a "process of planned social change designed to
promote the well-being of the population as a whole in conjunction with a dynamic process
of economic development" (Midgley 1995, p. 25).

The goal of social development in the context of modern welfare is to produce a social well-
being that makes people capable of acting and making their own decisions in the broadest
sense. Midgley's definition of social development "as a process of promoting people's
welfare" can be elucidated as an enabling perspective, because it focuses attention on the
potentials for action without forgetting the structural constraints to which actors are subject.
The strengths of social development lie in the fact that its intervention strategies address the
macro-, meso-, and microlevels. This means that it draws local communities into its strategy
packages just as much as governments and international organizations.

Social Development and SDGs

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted at the United Nations Summit in
New York from 25 to 27 September 2015. The Agenda is a broad and universal policy
agenda, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with 169 associated targets which
are integrated and indivisible. Building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the
2030 Agenda seeks to guide Member States to transform their approach to achieve inclusive,
people-centred and sustainable development with no one left behind. The Implementation of
the 2030 Agenda requires a more holistic, coherent and integrated approach at the national,
regional and global levels. Policies to implement the 2030 Agenda need to address inter-
linkages within the social sector, as well as between the social, economic and environmental
dimensions of sustainable development. Similarly, existing institutions or institutional
mechanisms that are working in the field of social development will have to adjust or expand
the scope of work so as to accommodate the new mandates arising from the
SDGs.Recognizing the need for strengthening the social dimension of
sustainable development, Member States, during the 53rd session of the Commission for
Social Development (February 2015), urged to enhance policy coherence:

5
1) within social sectors (i.e. poverty eradication strategies, policies to promote employment
and decent work and social inclusion, policies to enhance access to quality education,
basic healthcare, safe drinking water, sanitation, group specific policies – youth,
older persons, persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples, etc.);
2) through integrating social policy/perspectives into broader and more complex policy-
making processes, and vice versa, incorporating economic and environmental perspectives
into social policy-making.

SDGs and Social Development Issues:

Ageing Family
Civil Society Indigenous Peoples
Cooperatives Poverty
Disability Social Inclusion
Employment Youth

(Source: https://www.un.org/development/desa/dspd/2030agenda-sdgs.html)

SDGs Goals Directly and Indirectly Involved in Social Development

SDGs Goals are

Involved in Social
Development

Directly Involved Indirectly Involved

Goal 1: No Poverty Goal 7: Affordable and Clean

Goal 2: Zero Hunger Energy
Goal 3: Good Health and Well- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic
Being for People Growth
Goal 4: Quality Education Goal 9: Reducing Inequalities
Goal 5: Gender Equality Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and
Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation Communities
Goal 10: Reducing Inequalities Goal 12: Responsible Consumption
Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong and Production
Institutions Goal 13: Climate Action
Goal 14: Life below Water
Goal 15: Life on Land
Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Figure: SDGs Goals are involved in Social development

6
SDGs and 7th Five Years Plan
7th FYP coincides with the final year of MDGs and the launch of UN’s post- 2015
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The development approach underlying the 7th Plan
is consistent with the global agenda for higher growth in developing countries with
appropriate measures for protection of the environment. Eradication of extreme poverty will
be a cardinal principle of the strategies laid out in the 7th FYP document. Plan will strive for
just, equitable and inclusive economic growth, gender equality and social development while
protecting the environment. 7th FYP Targeted 7.4% GDP growth p.a. synchronizes with
SDGs suggested attaining above 7% growth by least developed countries. Finally, 7th Plan
will create the base of implementing SDGs by 2030 (including two more Five Year Plans).

SDGs As Integrated in 7th Five year Plan

SDG1. End poverty in all its 7FYP Target: Income and poverty
forms everywhere ➢ Reduction in the head-count poverty ratio by about
6.2 percentage points (from 24.8% to 18.6%)
➢ Reduction in extreme poverty by about 4.0
percentage points (8.9 % in 2020)
➢ Spending on Social Protection as a share of GDP to
be increased to 2.3% of GDP.
➢ Creation of a Lagging Region Fund
SDG 2. End hunger, achieve 7FYP Target: Poverty and Hunger
food security and improved ➢ Consolidation of Food Transfer Programmes as
nutrition and promote suggested by National Social Security Programme
sustainable agriculture ➢ Reduce proportion of stunting among underfive
children from 36.1% to 25%
➢ Reduce proportion of underweight children among
under-five children from 32.6% to 20%
SDG 3. Ensure healthy 7FYP Target: Human Resource Development
lives and promote wellbeing (Health and Population)
for all at all ages ➢ Under 5 mortality rate to be reduced from 41 to 37
per 1000 live birth.
➢ Maternal Mortality Ratio to be reduced from 170
to 105 per 100,000 live births.
➢ Immunization, measles (percent of children under
12 months) to be increased to 100 percent.
➢ Births attended by skilled health staff to be
increased to 65 percent.
➢ Reduction of Total Fertility Rate to 2.0
➢ Increasing Contraceptive Prevalence Rate to 75%
SDG 4. Ensure inclusive 7FYP Target: Human Resource Development
and equitable quality (Education)
education and promote ➢ Achieving 100% net enrollment rate for primary
lifelong learning and secondary education.
opportunities for all ➢ Ensure quality education at primary, secondary and
tertiary education.
➢ Percentage of cohort reaching grade 5 to be
increased to 100%from current 80%.
SDG 5. Achieve gender 7FYP Target: Gender equality

7
 equality and empower all ➢ Gender Parity Index in tertiary education to be
women and girls raised from current 0.70 to 1.0.
➢ The ratio of literate female to male for age group
20-24 to be raised to 100%from the current 86%.
➢ Increase the share of female officers (Grade-9 and
above) in the public sector to 25% by 2020.
SDG 6. Ensure availability 7FYP Target: Water and Sanitation
and sustainable management ➢ Safe drinking water to be made available for all
of water and sanitation for rural and urban population
all ➢ Proportion of urban population with access to
sanitary latrines to be increased to 100 percent and
90 percent for rural population.
SDG10. Reduce inequality 7FYP Target: Social protection
within and among countries ➢ Spending on Social Protection as a share of GDP to
be increased to 2.3%of GDP.
➢ Reduce Income Inequality from 0.458 to
Downward
Goal 16. Promote peaceful 7FYP Target: Governance
and ➢ To ensure all persons are able to live securely
inclusive societies for under the rule of law
sustainable ➢ Legal aid will be given to at least 37,000 victims
development, provide access to annually by 2020
justice for all and build ➢ Enhancing Integrity& Controlling Corruption
effective, ➢ Right to Information (RTI)/Access to Information
accountable and inclusive ➢ Making parliamentary process effective
institutions at all levels
(Source: GED, Planning Commission)

Targets and Programs to Implement SDGs in Bangladesh

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Targets
1.1. By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as
people living on less than $1.25 a day
1.2. By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages
living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
1.3. Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all,
including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable
1.4. By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have
equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control
over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new
technology and financial services, including microfinance
1.5. By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce
their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social
and environmental shocks and disasters

8
1.a. Create sound policy frameworks, at national, regional and international levels, based on
pro - poor and gender - sensitive development strategies to support accelerated investments in
poverty eradication actions
1.b. Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through
enhanced development cooperation to provide adequate and predictable means for developing
countries, in particular LDCs, to implement programs and policies to end poverty in all its
dimensions

(Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd)
Programs
➢ Spending on Social Protection as a share of GDP to be increased from 2.02% of GDP
in FYI5 to 2.3% of GDP by FY20
➢ Child grant for children of poor and vulnerable family
➢ Strengthening education and training programmes to motivate the adolescent and
youth
➢ Supporting workfare programme for the unemployed poor
➢ Programme of financial support to vulnerable women (widows, divorced, destitute,
single mother, and unemployed single women)
➢ Old Age Allowance for senior citizens who are aged 60 years and above and belong
to the poor and vulnerable population
➢ Disability benefit for children and working age population suffering from disability
➢ Exploring possibilities to establish a National Social Insurance Scheme (NSIS)

Progrees Report :
Poverty in Bangladesh has declined remarkably since the early-2000s, as result decades of
accelerated economic growth. According to the World Bank, Bangladesh's poverty rate fell
from 82% in 1972, to 18.5% in 2010, to 13.8% in 2016, and below 9% in 2018, as measured
by the percentage of people living below the international extreme poverty line. Economic
data is sourced from the World Bank, current as of October 2018, percent (%) of population
living below $1.90 per day.

Country 1970 2000 2010 2016 2018-19

Bangladesh 82 48.90 18.50 13.80 8.5

9
 Goal 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and
promote sustainable agriculture
Targets
2.1. By 2030 end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in
vulnerable situations including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round
2.2. By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally
agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the
nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons

2.3. By 2030 double the agricultural productivity and the incomes of small - scale food
producers, particularly women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers,
including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs,
knowledge, opportunities for value addition and non - farm employment
2.4. By 2030 ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural
practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that
strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather , drought, flooding and
other disasters, and that progressively improve land and soil quality
2.5. By 2020 maintain genetic diversity of seeds, cultivated plants, farmed and domesticated
animals and their related wild species, including through soundly managed and diversified
seed and plant banks at national, regional and international levels, and ensure access to and
fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and
associated traditional knowledge as internationally agreed
2.a. Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural
infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development, and
plant and livestock gene banks to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing
countries, in particular in least developed countries
2.b. Correct and prevent trade restrictions and distortions in world agricultural markets
including by the parallel elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies and all
export measures with equivalent effect, in accordance with the mandate of the Doha
Development Round
2.c. Adopt measures to ensure the proper functioning of food commodity markets and their
derivatives, and facilitate timely access to market information, including on food reserves, in
order to help limit extreme food price volatility

(Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd)

10
Programs
➢ Increasing agriculture-product diversification and consumption for improving
nutrition
➢ Food security for the national populace including availability, access, utilization and
stability
➢ Production and consumption diversification with high value crops including
vegetables, fruits, has to be the ideal target for food production in the country.
➢ Implement Bangladesh National Nutrition Policy 2014
➢ Continue operational plan for National Nutrition Services (NNS) under Health Sector
Programme
➢ Creation of secured environment for crop production that ensured food security of the
country
➢ Enhancement of agro-based economic activities is a floodfree secured environment.

Progress Report:

%Stunti Underwe
Populat Pop. ight 33%
ng
ion Under 5 of
Bangladesh 15.2 36% of children
162.9 under 5
Millon Childre
Million
n

Bangladesh: Nutrition Profile 2018 (Source: www.usaid.gov)

11
 Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well‐being for all at all ages
Targets
3.1. By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births
3.2. By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and under - 5 children
3.3. By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and neglected tropical
diseases and combat hepatitis, water - borne diseases, and other communicable diseases
3.4. By 2030 reduce by one - third pre - mature mortality from non - communicable diseases
(NCDs) through prevention and treatment, and promote mental health and wellbeing

3.5. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug
abuse and harmful use of alcohol
3.6. By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents

3.7. By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services,
including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive
health into national strategies and programmes

3.8. Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality
essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential
medicines and vaccines for all

3.9. By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous
chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

3.a Strengthen the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention
on Tobacco Control in all countries, as appropriate

3.b Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable
and non-communicable diseases that primarily affect developing countries, provide access to
affordable essential medicines and vaccines, in accordance with the Doha Declaration on the
TRIPS Agreement and Public Health, which affirms the right of developing countries to use
to the full the provisions in the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights regarding flexibilities to protect public health, and, in particular, provide access to
medicines for all

3.c Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and
retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed
countries and small island developing States
3.d Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early
warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks

12
 (Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd)

Programs
➢ Provision of ANC services for all pregnant women including TT
➢ Training of CSBAs
➢ Expansion of CEmOC in more upazila health complexes
➢ Piloting of demand-side financing through providing maternal vouchers
➢ Demand creation for utilization of ANC, PNC and institutional Deliveries
➢ Ensue Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI)
➢ Provision of ANC services for all pregnant women including TT
➢ Demand creation for utilization of ANC, PNC and institutional Deliveries

Progress Report:

Maternal mortality (per 100000 life birth) and contraceptive using (per 100) rate.
Indicators 1990/90 2000 2017
Maternal mortality 574 318 140
rate
Contraceptive user 40 53 63

13
 Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote
lifelong learning opportunities for all
Targets
4.1. By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and
secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2. By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood
development, care and pre - primary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3. By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical,
vocational and tertiary education, including university

4.4. By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills,
including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurs
4.5. By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of
education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities,
indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6. By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and
women, achieve literacy and numeracy

4.7. By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote
sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable
development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture
of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of
culture’s contribution to sustainable development
4.a. Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and
provide safe, non - violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all
4.b. By 2020, substantially expand globally the number of scholars hips available to
developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States
and African countries, for enrolment in higher education, including vocational training and
information and communications technology, technical , engineering and scientific
programmes, in developed countries and other developing countrie

4.c. By 2030, substantially increase the supply of qualified teachers, including through
international cooperation for teacher training in developing countries, especially least
developed countries and small island developing States
Programs
➢ Implement National Education Policy of 2010
➢ Implement third Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP 3)
➢ awareness raising programme for parents to make them aware of early childhood
development benefits
➢ promote community-based childcare centres for clusters of families
➢ Pre-primary education (for children 3-5 years) will be expanded to make formal
education more effective

14
Progress Report:
Admission in Primary Level
Year Total Male Student % Female Student %
2015 190.68 93.69 96.99
(49.14) (50.86)
2016 186.03 92.28 96.75
(49.60) (50.40)
2017 172.51 85.08 87.48
(49.30) (50.68)
(Source: Bangladesh Economic Review 2018)

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Targets
5.1. End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere
5.2. Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private
spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation
5.3. Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female
genital mutilation
5.4. Recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public
services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared
responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate
5.5. Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at
all levels of decision - making in political, economic and public life
5.a. Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access
to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services,
inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws
5.b. Enhance the use of enabling technology, in particular information and communications
technology, to promote the empowerment of women

5.c. Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender
equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

(Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd)

15
Programs
➢ Implement National Women Development Policy (NWDP), 2011
➢ Increase access to human development opportunities
➢ Establish conducive legal and regulatory environment
➢ Increase protection and resilience from crisis and shocks
➢ Promote positive social norms

Progress Report:

Global Gender Gap Index 2017

Goal 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and

sanitation for all
Targets
6.1. By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.2. By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end
open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in
vulnerable situations
6.3. By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and
minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated
wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.4. By 2030, substantially increase water - use efficiency across all sectors and ensure
sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially
reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
6.5. By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including
through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

16
6.6. By 2020, protect and restore water - related ecosystems, including mountains, forests,
wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
6.a. By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity - building support to developing
countries in water - and sanitation - related activities and programmes, including water
harvesting, desalina tion, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse
technologies
6.b. Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and
sanitation management

(Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd)

Programs
➢ Ensuring safe water facilities for all through the development of different water
supply options
➢ the development of different water supply options in affected areas
➢ Ensuring safe water facilities in the hydro-geologically difficult and problematic areas
➢ Establishment of WSS HRD centre in DPHE to ensure adequate supply of trained and
skilled manpower
➢ Establishment of the NAWASIC (National Water Supply & Sanitation Information
Centre) in DPHE

Progress Report:

Bangladesh

Source: Bangladesh Economic Review 2018

17
 Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries
Targets
10.1. By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of
the population at a rate higher than the national average
10.2. By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all,
irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or eco nomic or other status
10.3. Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating
discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies
and action in this regard
10.4. Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively
achieve greater equality
10.5. Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and
strengthen the implementation of such regulations
10.6. Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision - making
in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective,
credible, accountable and legitimate institutions
10.7. Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people,
including through the implementation of planned and well - managed migration policies
10.a. Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries,
in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organization
agreements
10.b. Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct
investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least deve loped countries,
African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in
accordance with their national plans and programmes
10.c. By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and
eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent

(Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd)

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Programs
➢ Adoption of long-term income inequality reduction strategy in order to reduce the initial gap of
income inequality
➢ Interventions to ensure the protection of migrant workers’ human and labour rights
➢ Strict monitoring and enforcement of the recruitment process of overseas employment
➢ Enforcement of laws and regulations related to overseas employment

Progress report:

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable

development, provide access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Targets
16.1. Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
16.2. End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of
children
16.3. Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access
to justice for all
16.4. By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery
and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
16.5. Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.6. Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.7. Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision - making at all
levels
16.8. Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of
global governance
16.9. By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration

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16.10. Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance
with national legislation and international agreements
16.a. Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation,
for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence
and combat terrorism and crime
16.b. Promote and enforce non - discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable
development

(Source: http://www.sdg.gov.bd)

Programs
➢ Government will enhance the capacity of National Legal Aid Services Organization
(NLASO) through management systems and procedures, as well as human resources,
particularly in supporting the poor and women.
➢ The NLASO will appoint District Legal Aid Officers in 64 district
➢ Co-operation will be there under effective negotiation scheme of ERD and MoFA.
Report:

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National Plan to Implement SDGs
A number of national plans (at least 14), strategies and policies are already in place to
implement SDGs in Bangladesh.

• 7th Five Year Plan

• National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) 2015
• National Food Policy Plan of Action (2008-2015)
• National Health Policy 2011
• Health, Population and Nutrition Sector Development Program (HPNSDP) 2011-16
• National Education Policy 2010; Primary Education Development Program (PEDP
III) 2011-16 (extended to June 2017)
• National Women’s Development Policy (NWDP) 2011
• Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 (From 7FYP)
• Power System Master Plan (PSMP) 2010
• National Skills Development Policy (NSDP 2011)
• National Industrial Policy 2015
• National Sustainable Development Strategy 2010-21
• Bangladesh Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (BCCSAP)

Importance of SDGs for Social Development

1. Alleviate extream poverty
The Sustainable Development Goals of UNDP Bangladesh is to expand the pervious MDG
target on poverty. First we need to know what poverty is. Poverty is a complex concept,
which may contain social, economic, and political elements. Absolute poverty, extreme
poverty, or destitution refers to the complete lack of the means necessary to meet basic
personal needs such as food, clothing and shelter. According to the 2008 UNDP Human
Development Index, Bangladesh ranks 147th among 179 countries and has achieved medium
human development gains over the past 10 years. However, more than 63 million people still
live below the poverty line. In our survey we’ve tried to find out whom the respondent
considers in poverty, their opinion about the effective contribution of the government
agencies, its benefits and the necessity of the people living under poverty line.
2. Zero hunger
The Sustainable Development Goals of UNDP Bangladesh and its associated goals are much
bigger than previous hunger-related MDG goals. Up to 40 to 60% of any household income is
usually spent for food one pattern we’ve seen that the spending has reduced over time period.
People don’t get proper food that results malnutrition, different types of disease and much
more. In our country people living under poverty line didn’t get three times mean properly,
sometimes they need to skip meal or halfeaten for their family. Often they are worried
whether their food would run out before they get money to buy more.
3. Good health and well-being
We know that “Health is wealth”. Third Sustainable Development Goals of UNDP
Bangladesh contains three previous MDGs (child health, maternal and reproductive health,
and HIV, malaria and other diseases) in the form of targets. Addition to that SDG 3 has also
included many more targets on other infectious diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs),

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accidents, substance abuse and mental health. In our survey we’ve tried to figure-out the
treatment quality, satisfaction, availability, proper privacy and reliability of the treatment,
good health and well-being. The treatment or health condition is not up to the mark, but the
condition is improving. The death-rate has decreased, the public awareness about health care
are increasing, and so on which is a very good sign but still there are many options of
improvement.
4. Gender equality
Gender equality means the state where access to rights or opportunities is unaffected by
gender. The gender equality condition of Bangladesh is actually improving a lot. Women are
getting equal opportunity, respect, security, education, support and so on. Both government
and different NGOs are working on it. In 2013, Bangladesh was ranked 142 out of 187
countries on the Human Development Index and 115 out 149 countries surveyed on the
Gender Inequality Index. Many of these inequalities are result of extreme poverty and
traditional gender norms centered on a patrilineal and patriarchal kinship system.
5. Clean water and senitation
The sixth Sustainable Development Goal is providing clean water and proper sanitation
system. In Bangladesh the water is supplied by WASA. They use to supply the ground water.
The pressure is so high that the water level is decreasing at an alarming rate. Clean water and
proper sanitation can reduce many diseases. Bangladesh government is working and trying to
improve the water supply and water quality. They are also working hands in hands with
NGOs to increase people awareness about the necessity of clean water and sanitation.
6. Reduce inequalities
According to the record the income inequality is on the rise, the 10% richest person’s
earning is up to 40% of total global income. The poorest 10% earn only 2-7% of total global
income. In developing countries like Bangladesh the inequality has increased by 11%
according to available recent reports. Income inequality is a global problem and requires
global solution. For that we need the monitoring of financial markets and institutions,
encouraging development assistance.

Challenges to Implement SDGs in Bangladesh

There are lots of challenges to implement SDG in Bangladesh. Seventy goals of the
sustainable development goals. Major challenges include the following that is described by
the CPD Fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya, PhD:
1. Integration in the national planning process
It is always important to align the tasks to be done. We have a separate national policy to be
implemented. It would be great if we can integrate our national policies. We encourage all
member states to develop as soon as practicable ambitious national responses to the overall
implementation of this Agenda. These can support the transition to the SDGs and build on
existing planning instruments, such as national development and sustainable development
strategies, as appropriate. We also encourage member states to conduct regular and inclusive
reviews of progress at the national and sub-national levels which are country-led and country-
driven. Such reviews should draw on contributions from indigenous peoples, civil society, the
private sector and other stakeholders, in line with national circumstances, policies and
priorities. National parliaments as well as other institutions can also support these processes.

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 2. Financial and non-financial resources
Finance is a key component if the coming process is to successfully deliver the SDGs.
According to the estimates in the final report by the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts
on Sustainable Development Financing (ICESDF), achieving the SDGs in all countries will
require additional global investments in the range of $5 trillion to $7 trillion per year up to
2030. UNCTAD estimates that out of this, developing countries will need between $3.3
trillion and $4.5 trillion a year in financing for basic infrastructure (roads, rail and ports;
power stations; water and sanitation), food security (agriculture and rural development),
climate change mitigation and adaptation, health and education. The Economic and Social
Survey of the Asia and the Pacific 2013 estimates the public investment needs to deliver a
package of policies to promote inclusive and sustainable development.
3. Institutional mechanism for implementation
One of the weaknesses of MDGs implementation was absence of dedicated institutional
mechanism for implementation. GED was involved in producing monitoring reports with the
help of other government agencies. Attainment of SDGs will require a strong and effective
institutional mechanism involving all stakeholders including public representatives,
government, private sector, civil Society, knowledge community and development partners.
4. Data for monitoring
Concerns have risen about the sheer breadth and ambition of these goals, the feasibility of
monitoring them and tracking actual progress within countries. If monitoring of 8 MDGs, 20
targets and 60 indicators has posed serious challenges at the national level, how about 17
SDGs, 169 targets and over 300 indicators? Capacity of national statistics office and other
government agencies will be tested –prepare an updated data producing and financing plan.
An ongoing CPD study has found that among the 300 indicators proposed by UN StatCom,
data for about one-third indicators are not available for Bangladesh.
The following should be the concern for monitoring the data:

• Accessibility, quality and timeliness of data will be critical

• Fixing a reference year will be a challenge
• Rapid technological progress should be put into effective use
• Coordination among BBS and private sector for addressing the methodological gap
• Use of non-official data may be considered
• Ensuring finance for data is a challenge given global support to statistics has declined
in recent years
• Independence of statistical office is important
5. Participation and accountability
Participation and accountability is very much significant as a challenge to implement the
sustainable development goals. To make it done properly the following process should be
done:

• Agenda Setting
• Implementation
• Monitoring
• Accountability

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Other challenges:
➢ The government of Bangladesh is politically committed to meet the UN-sponsored
SDGs. But challenges are there. One of the main challenges to achieving SDGs is the
need for improvement in implementation of projects and programmes taken in hand.
It is to be kept in mind that the efficiency gain in public sector spending is a must to
that end. Delays in project implementation have deleterious impact on cost as well as
on the intended benefits to be accrued. It is also true that increasing tax-effort by 9.0
percentage points over the next 12 years will not be an easy task to do
➢ The SDGs include 17 goals and 169 targets that set out quantitative and qualitative
objectives. The newly incorporated goals in the SDGs are more comprehensive and
expansive in nature. And thus it will explore development schemes of vital
importance to humanity at large.
➢ The access to climate fund critically depends on our capacity to negotiate with the
development partners. In this context, Bangladesh has already identified areas of
strengthening for SDGs implementation. Nonetheless, it is to be asserted that these
should be ensured on a priority basis to meet the demand.
➢ The challenge for country like Bangladesh would be how to contextualize the goals
and the indicators and allocate among concerned agencies to plan and implement.
➢ Infrastructural development, renewable affordable energy and its security, skill
development, technology adaptation, policy framework, long term strategies are
meant to be essential to meet SDGs.
➢ Financing $45 Billion per year will be a key challenge for Bangladesh.
➢ The seventh five years plan endorsed the SDG goals but marked no clear indications
on sourcing fund, allocation and explicit roadmap with plan of actions to implement
the goals.
➢ Less participation of people in developing programs
➢ Lower allocation of national budget
➢ Illiteracy of the people
➢ Natural disaster
➢ Corruption of government employee
➢ Less allocation of national budget in health and family planning sector
➢ Number of doctors and a nurses are not sufficient for providing services(per doctor,
patients are 2039)
➢ People's ignorance about health services
➢ Superstition of rural people
➢ Corruption in health sector

Role of Social Workers to Implement SDGs for Social Development

Social workers can be key agents for implementing many of the Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs) – not only those goals that relate to different aspects of social policy, but also
those that require an understanding of how social policy is shaped by the natural
environment.
Social workers, and the associations that represent them, can play active roles at many levels:

24
 ➢ at the local level engaging directly with communities and people to ‘leave no one
behind’;
➢ at the national level when designing framework policies and institutions; and
➢ at the global level in advocating for a strong role for social work and in fostering
learning across countries
Other roles of social workers
➢ They can work to increase awareness among people. It will help to achieve expected
result of SDGs in Bangladesh
➢ Social workers can collaborate to formulate different planning and policy to reduce
existing problems
➢ An important role of social workers is to conduct research on specific issues that are
included in the target of SDGs
➢ They can arrange different seminar and symposium to implement SDGs properly in
Bangladesh

Conclusion
This Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. It also seeks to strengthen
universal peace in larger freedom. It is recognized to eradicate poverty in all its forms and
dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable
requirement for sustainable development. All countries and all stakeholders, acting in
collaborative partnership, will implement this plan. SDGs are closely related to social
development. SDGs will help to remove poverty, hunger, discrimination, injustice,
inequalities and help to develop well being, health condition, sanitation as well as living
conditions of people in the planet. In Bangladesh, Govt. are taking various planning and
programs to implement SDGs properly. It will help to get recognition of develop Bangladesh
in a certain period of time.

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26
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