Building positive attitudes towards gender equality: a baseline survey of gender quality action learning programme

Abstract

The study aims to find out the pre-intervention status on knowledge, perception and attitude of rural people towards gender relations. A survey was conducted on 803 respondents in eight upazilas of Netrokona and Kishoregonj districts. Respondents include rich, middle, lower and ultra poor. All the samples for the last two groups, 20% from middle, and 10% from the first group were randomly selected. The study dealt with different themes of general perception, discrimination, empowerment, violence against women, and marriage. The findings indicate that the knowledge of the respondents about nutrition, education, age of voting, and marriage were satisfactory. The gender perception of both male and female were influenced by prevailing patriarchal norms in rural areas. Although the respondents show more favorable attitude towards reducing gender discrimination and marriage related issues, the attitude towards gender roles in society was comparatively less positive. The study further shows that the level of education, and to a lesser extent, economic background were the primary determinants in shaping gender attitude and perception, while age and NGO membership did not appear to have much impact on views of gender equality.