Research Reports (1998): Social Studies, Vol – XXI

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/13350

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Readership survey: the case of a research compendium in Bangla
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-01) Ullah, AKM Ahsan; Ahmed, Hasan Shareef
Nirjash, a research compendium in Bangla, is published primarily for BRAC field staff. After three years of its publication it was felt essential to conduct a readership survey on its usefulness, accessibility and readability. The study assessed the readership of this compendium among the BRAC field staff. Data were collected from 1 ,698 field staff of 1 03 BRAC area offices in 18 districts. Of the 1, 698 respondents, 497 were interviewed and information from the rest (1,201) was obtained through postal questionnaires. Findings of the study revealed that 45% of the respondents were aware of Nirjash and of them 79% (604) had read it. A higher proportion of the field managers were aware of Nirjash (90%) while it was much lower (40%) for the programme organizers (PO). Among those who read it 48% found its language easy while only 7% found hard, and 93% reported to be benefited. On the contrary, nearly 2% did net like it while 40% and 58% viewed it as a very good and good to read respectively. Over the three years, readership increased by 26% compared to the survey of 1995. No field offices were found to have got all issues of the Nirjash. The study shows that there was a communication gap among the field managers and their staff and there was a problem in the distribution system.
Overseas migration and the well-being of those left behind in rural communities of Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998) Hadi, Abdullahel
Learners' achievement in Chandina learning improvement project: an evaluation
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998-07) Kalam, Md. Abul; Akter, Shaheen
International labor migration and women's status of the left behind the case of Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998) Hadi, Abdullahel
While the role of remittance sent by the migrant labors on economic development of the sending communities has received much attention, the non-economic consequences of international migration on the left behind family members have not adequately explored. By extracting data from a demographic surveillance system, this article examines the social impact of the international migration on women's status of the sending communities in rural Bangladesh. Findings reveal that the remittance sent by the migrant labors has not only raises the living condition of the left behind but also the diffusion of secular ideas along with remittance significantly modifies the traditional behavior of the sending communities. Women's role in managing the household affairs and control of the remittance sent to them substantially raise their social position within the family. The study concludes that the social and economic aspects of overseas migration raises the status of the left behind women by enhancing the individual position in their families and modifying the cultural values of the communities. Compared to earlier permanent moves, the contemporary international migration is primarily 'southnorth' temporary flow oflabors (United Nations, 1985) although the migrants include a wide spectrum of population including high skilled professionals to low paid laborers. South-north international migration not only produces large inflows of valuable remittance that stimulate economic growth but helps reducing unemployment and poverty at the sending communities (Russell, 1997). Policy-makers of the less developed countries are convinced that exporting labor to developed countries stimulates their economic growth (Russell, 1997; Simmons, 1984). While the role of remittance sent by the migrant labors on economic development of the sending communities has received much attention, the non-economic consequences of labor migration on the left behind family members have not adequately explored (Shah and Arnold, 1985).
Initial social impact of the Rupsha bridge project in Khulna
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998) Murtaza, Mohammad G.; M. Ghulam Sattar
Fallowing a decision by the government to construct a bridge over the river Rupsha in Khulna, a number of preparatory studies were undertaken on different aspects of the bridge project. An initial social impact assessment was a part of these studies. Two alternative sites have been considered for the bridge, and for that two alternative alignments of road have been proposed. Construction of the new road(s) would necessitate acquisition of land, involve displacement of people from their existing habitats, and affect these people in other ways both socially and economically. The study found that a total 454 households (174 in alignment A, and 280 in alignment B) would be affected if roads are constructed as per the proposed alignments. The total population involved is 2,571. . .<\round 60 per cent of these people were born in their existing villages, and the rest migrated from other places at different times. The two road alignments pass through periurbanlrural areas where a number of fish farms, small industries and commercial enterprises are located. A very large number of the income earners are involved in ' serivce' and non-farm vocations. Many women are also participating in income earning activities. Most of these people live quite close to their workplace. In the two alignments 45,847 trees will be affected. The findings incorporated some reactions of the people living in the project area. Their major concerns are loss of land including their ancestral homesteads, loss of current occupations and displacement. Some of the respondents even said that they did not need any more road in their locality.
Fulshaind Pollishasthya Unnayan Kendra: report of the baseline survey 1997
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998) Hadi, Abdullahel; Kamal, Firoz M.
Managing NGOs for growth and change a case study of Proshika in Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998-08) Sattar, M G; Afreen, Neena; M G Samdani Fakir
The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in South Asian countries have attained phenomenal growth, more so in Bangladesh. There has been manifold increase in the number of NGOs, their staff and operational budget NGO programmes have also undergone rapid expansion. These organisations arc however, facing difficulties in administering their diverse programmes and managing a diverse range of staff. A study was conducted on Proshika, a large NGO in Bangladesh, to examine how it has attained growth and handled management challenges. The study themes included (a) organisation and performance, (b) strategy, (c) participation, (d) leadership and succession, (e) gender, and (f) learning. Proshika works with 1.4 million rural and urban poor and operates wide range of programmes which include social mobilization, education, credit, employment and income generation, health and sanitation, housing, social forestry, ecological agriculture, policy advocacy, etc. Over the last ten years (1989-1998) there has been fantastic growth of Proshika as an organisation. The number of its programme participants increased by 3 50%, staff size rose by 460o/o, and there has been 40-fold increase of its operational budget during this period. Generous donors' support, continuing efforts in capacity development, staff motivation and incentives, and participatory approach to development contributed largely to the scaling-up Proshika. The study reveals that Proshika has so far managed its growth well. The founder leader has been providing good leadership which helped Proshika to get over an initial split of the organisation and develop it from a small scale into a big multifaceted organisation. But rapid growth has put strains on the management structures and systems. According to one recent review, overloads are becoming excessive. Rapid growth has also made a dent on the senior management which is overstretched and often uses 'crisis management approach' to major issues rather than strategic management.
Sustainability of Scientific Journals in the developing world with special reference to Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-03) Ahmed, Hasan Shareef; Chowdhury, A Mushtaque R.; Khan, M Shamsul Islam; Ullah, AKM Ahsan
The study aimed to explore the sustainability issues of journal publication in Bangladesh. Forty-three journal editors were interviewed, and 66 current journals were scanned. Findings reveal that 68~1o of the journals were published late, 30°/o had inconsistencies in typesetting, and 14% were indexed. Most journals were found either excellent or of good quality in terms of printing (85~'0), binding (77~'0), paper (92%), and graphic reproduction (76~'0). Most journals were not available in major libraries. Of the 43 editors, 28 reported to have cost-recovery of 1-45% from subscription, advertisement, and sales. About 74.4% of the editors did not consider their journals at stake. Although 86% of the editors were confident that their journals would sustain in the long run, 37 .3~'0 could not cite any logic in support of their statement. Major problems include lack of finance and quality articles, skilled staff, institutional support; and lengthy peer review process. Only one claimed to be a full-time editor having training on editing and publication. Half (51%) of the editors reported to have training on editing, while four had publication training. Most editors (79%) showed keen interest in editing and publication training. Some suggestions are made to ensure sustainability of local journals.
Evaluation of Environmental Awareness Training of BRAC
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998-12) Jakariya, Md.; Akter, Nasima; Rahman, Mizanur; Sharmin, Lammia; Hossain, Zabed
Environmental investigation of The Sericulture Programme and The Ayesha Abed Foundation
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1998-03) Akter, Nasima; Rahman, Amina
Objectives: Assessment of the potential environmental problems of the programme activities including environmental and health concerns, identify remedial measures to reduce the adverse impact on the environment and public health, and establish monitoring criteria to maintain the environmental quality and sustainability of these programmes. Methodology: Data were collected through interviews, discussion with programme personnel, field observations, and laboratory analysis of water and soil samples. Variables include (separately for each programme): process, activities, energy, chemical and material uses, waste generation and disposal, and observed health and environmental problems. Results: The major findings of the study were categorised under health effects and environmental assessment of the programme. Employees of different sections suffer from various health problems. These can be caused by direct or indirect exposure to environmental pollution and contamination. The most important concern for environmental and public health issues is the disposal of waste water and solid waste. Most of the chemicals found from laboratory analysis of waste water and sediment are persistent in nature and have long residual periods. The results of analysed chemical samples showed a higher value than the maximum allowable DoE (Department of Environment) standards for those chemicals. Conclusion: The results indicate that the health and environmental problem related to the programme is acute. Based on the findings, recommendations were made in the report to lessen environmental degradation and health hazards, and make the programmes more environmentally sustainable. Some monitoring criteria are also discussed in this report.

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