The struggle for social responsibility in Bangladesh

Social responsibility aims to improve public services and ensure an effective response to public needs. At the heart of this lies the belief that every citizen’s voice matters. We envision a society in which public services are effective, fair and transparent. Sacrificed lives of students require government accountability. Therefore, the effectiveness of accountability models in Bangladesh needs to be scrutinized. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement of 2024 embodies this. Deeply frustrated with the authoritarian rule, students escalated their efforts to call for regime change, while accountability remained elusive. Their hope was that no more lives would have to be lost in the search for justice.

Social responsibility goes beyond mere government oversight; The lack of this leads to corruption, inefficiency and inequality, eroding public trust and undermining democratic processes. A system based on accountability cultivates a culture of integrity and trust, essential to the legitimacy of any government. The experience of students in the 2024 movement is a stark reminder that when government evades its responsibility, people suffer, resources are wasted, public services falter and disillusionment grows. Without social responsibility, public institutions also remain unchecked, allowing wasteful spending and unaddressed desires to fester.

Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in promoting social responsibility through initiatives such as community monitoring, public hearings, social audits and citizen report cards. These efforts empower ordinary citizens by providing platforms where they can express concerns, seek solutions, and participate in decision-making processes. Successes such as Community Score Cards (CSCs) in healthcare and education and the Right to Information (RTI) Act – which allows citizens to request information from the government – ​​have been achieved. However, significant challenges still remain.

Despite initial promises, many social responsibility initiatives remain underutilized. A major problem is the lack of public awareness; many citizens are not aware of their rights or the mechanisms available to them. Moreover, resistance from government officials and service providers, who may find these measures difficult, complicates the landscape. Systemic problems in Bangladesh further exacerbate these challenges; weak institutional frameworks, inadequate financing and complex power dynamics prevent social responsibility models from realizing their full potential. If these obstacles are not addressed, the country’s progress will remain limited.

It is clear that Bangladesh needs a more effective social responsibility model. Technology, education and community involvement must be central. The Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) presents an innovative example with the Citizen-Led Social Audit model. This approach enables citizens to assess public services and follow a clear accountability path. By engaging stakeholders through town halls, sharing audit results and continuously monitoring progress, this model provides a sustainable path forward.

The future of social responsibility in Bangladesh depends on fostering strong partnerships between government, civil society and the private sector. Key factors for success include clear communication, mutual trust and well-defined roles. Each partner must understand their responsibilities and receive the necessary training and resources to contribute effectively. By cultivating these partnerships, we can ensure that accountability efforts are not only implemented, but sustained.

We can no longer afford to wait for crises to bring about change. A comprehensive new model of social responsibility is needed. Leveraging technology, education and partnerships can pave the way for a more transparent and responsive governance system. The future of Bangladesh depends on this transformation. Social responsibility is more than a tool; it is essential for democratic governance and sustainable development. Although Bangladesh has made commendable progress, much work remains to be done. The 2024 Student Movement Against Discrimination is a powerful reminder that citizens will demand justice, often at great personal cost.

Mohammed Tanbirul Islam is a research associate at IID and editor of the Policy Pulse.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.

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