What does this research mean for the field?

In rural Bangladesh's social safety net programs, digital financial inclusion is significantly hindered by gender dynamics and hidden income constraints, resulting in a capability gap where material welfare improves but true empowerment lags. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Investigate how income poverty, gender inequality, and regional disparities intersect to shape digital financial inclusion and cash transfer outcomes in rural social safety net programs.

September 3, 2026Development in Practice

Socioeconomic barriers to digital financial inclusion in social safety net programs: a rural Bangladesh perspective

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Authors

PPPranab Kumar PandayUniversity of Rajshahi AAA. H. M. Kamrul AhsanUniversity of Rajshahi

Discussion

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Implication

Survey reveals severe gender barriers and capability gaps in rural cash transfer recipients, highlighting the need for user-centric financial policies.

Key Points

Investigate how income poverty, gender inequality, and regional disparities intersect to shape digital financial inclusion and cash transfer outcomes in rural social safety net programs.
Surveyed 100 beneficiaries and 20 program functionaries across Gaibandha District in rural Bangladesh.
Analyzed structural barriers using Sen’s Capability Approach and Heeks’s Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) design-reality gap theory.
Identified gender dynamics as the primary barrier to adoption, with 59% to 65% of respondents reporting substantial gender-related constraints.
Material welfare outcomes improved for 87% to 96% of beneficiaries, but empowerment lagged at 72%, demonstrating an unresolved capability gap.
Uncovered an affordability concealment effect where intermediary agents mask user income limits, alongside geographic sampling bias termed double divergence.

Cite This Study

Panday et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a993592636c6408cfa7decf https://doi.org/10.1080/09614524.2026.2723134

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Implication

Survey reveals severe gender barriers and capability gaps in rural cash transfer recipients, highlighting the need for user-centric financial policies.

Socioeconomic barriers to digital financial inclusion in social safety net programs: a rural Bangladesh perspective

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Socioeconomic barriers to digital financial inclusion in social safety net programs: a rural Bangladesh perspective

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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