Experts urge research-driven policies to tackle poverty, gender inequality

Experts at a press conference today emphasised the need for research-driven policies to address poverty and gender inequality in Bangladesh.

The event, held at a city hotel, was organised by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) to mark its 50 years of policy support for agricultural development and food security.

Speaking at the event, Dr Daniel Gilligan, director of IFPRI's Poverty, Gender, and Inclusion (PGI) Unit, stressed that poverty and gender disparities continue to limit economic potential and erode quality of life in low- and middle-income countries.

"Our unit collaborates with governments and partners in Bangladesh and beyond to conduct multidisciplinary research that provides evidence-based guidance for policymaking," he said.

Dr Akhter Ahmed, IFPRI's country representative for Bangladesh, highlighted the institute's long-standing contributions to the country's agricultural and food security policies.

"IFPRI's trusted partnerships with the government and development partners have been crucial in delivering impactful policy support," he said.

For nearly four decades, IFPRI has played a key role in advancing agricultural development, improving nutrition, and strengthening resilience in Bangladesh.

One of its notable contributions is the Transfer Modality Research Initiative (TMRI), a nutrition-sensitive social protection program designed by IFPRI and implemented by the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

The initiative demonstrated that combining cash transfers with intensive nutrition behavior-change communication reduced child stunting at three times the national average rate of decline, influencing the government's approach to social protection policies.

Additionally, IFPRI recently conducted a comprehensive food security assessment, providing district- and division-level analysis to help optimise resource allocation and improve the effectiveness of food security programs.

The findings were cited in the White Paper on the State of the Bangladesh Economy, prepared for the Interim Government, which outlined recommendations for structural reforms and economic stabilisation.

As Bangladesh faces new challenges such as climate change and evolving food system vulnerabilities, IFPRI reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based policymaking.

Experts at the event stressed that continued research and policy engagement would be crucial in shaping a resilient and sustainable future for the country.