Research Reports (1999): Social Studies, Vol – XXII

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10361/13375

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Women's productive role and marital violence in Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Hadi, Abdullahel
This study assesses the role of women's participation in productive activities in reducing the risk of marital violence. Data were collected from villages where numerous non-government organizations (NGOs) had micro-credit based income generating programs for the poor. Both the surveys and in-depth interviews were used to collect information from a randomly selected sample of 500 currently married women aged <50 years living in 70 villages in 10 regions of Bangladesh. Findings reveal that the prevalence of marital violence such as mental torture and physical assault had negative association with women's participation in economic activities. Situation that invoked violence against had most often been their failure of performing expected role in the household. Women's productive roles not only improved women's position in their household but also significantly reduced both mental torture and physical assault against them. The paper argues that participation in productive activities has the potential to bring a significant reduction in the risk of marital violence among women in the poor community.
The role of NGOs to improve food security in Bangladesh: the BRAC perspective
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Hyder, SM Ziauddin; Husain, A.M. Muazzam
Bangladesh is one of the worst food insecure nations in the world today. This paper looks into some food security issues of the poor, the most food insecure group, particularly with respect to the role of non-governmental organisations (NGO). Some learning from the development programmes of BRAC, which are directed to the poor women to improve their food security is briefly highlighted in this paper. A long-term commitment to the very poor as well as targeted efforts supported by short-term food subsidy is required to improve their situation on a sustainable basis. Effective partnership between the government, NGOs and donors is a key to the success in increasing the current food security situation.
Socioeconomic and health profile of Chittagong Hill Tracts
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Rafi, Mohammad; Mallick, Debdulal; Karim, Fazlul; Nath, Samir Ranjan; Ahmed, Syed Masud; Akter, Nasima; Begum, Shamim A.
Relationship between socio-economic and anthropometric status of young children in rural Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Moniruzzaman, Syed
This study investigates the interrelationship between socio-economic status and anthropometric measurements of young children in rural Bangladesh. A nutrition surveillance system programme (the NSP) was established in April 1990. This is a collaborative effort that involves international and indigenous non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the government of Bangladesh, and is co-ordinated by Helen Keller International and funded by the US Agency for International Development. Data were collected every two months by ten NGOs and the Bangladesh government from 26 sentinel points, corresponding to 20 subdistricts and 4 urban slums. In each round of data collection, 5000-6000 households are randomly selected, and anthropometric measurements are taken from 7,000-9,000 children between the ages of 6 and 59 months. Data for this study came from Mohanpur, Manda, Bhuapur and Dagonvhuiya subdistricts, the vital registration area of the NGOs ASA, Shwanirvar Bangladesh and VERC. Anthropometric and socio-economic data concerning 1562 children aged 6-59 months were collected. From these data, it was found that the proportion of malnourished children was very high, underweight 59%, and stunted 56%. Malnutrition of the child was related to low educational level of the mother and poor condition of housing. Poor housing may be regarded as a proxy for poor socio-economic conditions. The different characteristics of the socio-economic conditions of the household were closely related, and not easily separated in relation to malnutrition of the child. The conclusion of this study is that preventive efforts improving the socio-economic condition of families with children and the educational level of mothers may have profound effects on child health.
Perception of adolescent girls about their well-being
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-02) Mahbub, Amina
This qualitative study was initiated to explore adolescent girls' perceptions about wellbeing. A part of the BRAC-ICDDR,B joint research project on health and well-being, the study was done purposively in two villages of Matlab Thana among the adolescent girls of BRAC School aged from 11 to 14 years. Mainly Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were done for data collection, but during FGDs, freelisting and importance rating exercises were conducted as well. In the study the adolescent girls presented a set of indicators of well-being condition from their perspective. They highly prioritized some indicators for better living like father s/brothers income, good relations with the family members, healthy body without any illness and education. In developing linkages between the identified indicators, they started with two points i.e. father' s/brother's income and income from own poultry and shared livestock. The girls pointed out some socioeconomic and cultural barriers to achieve a well-being condition. However, the study suggested that the findings could be useful to design or measure the effect of interventions on adolescent's well-being.
Participatory research methods and gender data base Bangladesh country paper
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-05) Mahbub, Amina
Application of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) in rural development as well as in agricultural sectors is quite recent in Bangladesh and most of the PRAs are conducted by NGOs. The review of participatory researches explicitly shows that majority of them were conducted to date for evaluating current status and future potentials of different programs. Few researches were done to explore the baseline situation of the villages. However, the creation of a gender sensitive database based on participatory process is required to assist in the development of gender sensitive technical programs for rural development. In this regard, some measures can be taken to increase women's participation in the participatory process. Yet, for gender sensitive development planning to improve the value of participatory research, the analysis should be done individually along with data collection from men and women's group separately. Community involvement with the overall process of data collection to analysis is considered an effective way in this regard. In this context, Participatory Assessment, Analysis and Action (P AAA) is useful approach to development planning and implementation. It involves all stakeholders from the community people to Thana level officials in a participatory process of assessing, analyzing, and acting on multifaceted problems of rural development.
Learning achievement of the students after completion of grade five from BRAC schools
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-11) Hossain, Md. Altaf; Akter, Shaheen; Kalam, Md. Abul
The Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE) programme of BRAC introduced class four and five to its curriculum to mesh with the formal primary education. BRAC launched this primary education programme in its 1000 schools throughout the country on a pilot basis and provided one-year additional schooling to cover classes four and five. At the end of the first cycle, this study is initiated to evaluate the performance of the learners to measure the overall performance of the programme.
Identification of flood victims and assessing damage: exploring some methodologlcal issues
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Ahmed, Syed Masud
Exploring changes in the lives of BRAC women: a gender perspective
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-10) Mahbub, Amina
This qualitative study conducted (to explore the changes in ideology, attitudes and aspirations of the rural women involved with BRAC Village Organizations (VO) with "- respect to gender equity.' Being a part of BRAC-ICDDR,B Joint Research Project, the study was conducted in three villages of Matlab Thana. Data collection techniques included life histories for case studies, key informant interview and group discussion. <the study revealed important changes in the thought and ideology of BRAC women compared to the non-BRAC women. BRAC women however, appeared to be in a transition period as indicated by contradictions and confusions between they thought and what they actually practiced. Certain factors had a great influence on BRAC women's thought and ideology which were absent in the lives of non-BRAC women like social and legal awareness training, credit, mobility, work load etc. Pathways through which changes in views on gender equity were explored. The study concludes that development interventions like BRAC's Rural Development Programme (RDP) were contributory in a tangible fashion to the transformation of patriarchal ideology and attitude.
Child abuse among working children in rural Bangladesh: prevalence and determinants
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999) Hadi, Abdullahel
The paper aims to improve our understanding about the prevalence and determinants of child abuse in rural Bangladesh. Data from the 1995 sample survey of 4,643 children aged 10-15 years in 150 villages were used. Findings revealed that 21% of the children were in the labour force although the Bangladeshi laws prohibited child labour. The prevalence of child abuse and exploitation was widespread in Bangladeshi villages as 2.3% of all children were physically abused, 2% were financially exploited, l.7% were forced to involve in inappropriate activities, and 3% were forced to work for long hours. The prevalence of physical assault was much higher among younger children although the probability of other types of abuse was higher among older children. Boys were more exposed than girls to be abused of any kind. Poverty was also significantly associated with child abuse. Multivariate analysis suggested that the out-of-school children and the children of illiterate, landless and unskilled labourers were more likely to be abused than others when age and sex of children were controlled. The paper concludes that raising public awareness against child abuse and promoting preventive measures should be adopted to reduce child abuse in Bangladesh.
Bridging the information gap and providing sex education to adolescents in rural areas of Bangladesh
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 1999-12) Rashid, Sabina Faiz; Sarker, Mahmuda Akhter; Khan, Shamsher; Simmonds, Nicci

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