Empowerment of resource poor women through income generation activities (IGAs): a case of slum area in Dhaka city corporation of Bangladesh

Md Abdul Momen Miah,Sadia Jahan Moon

doi:10.3329/ralf.v4i1.32401

Abstract

The main purpose of the study was to determine the level of empowerment of women working at garments industry in Bangladesh. The factors influencing the achievement of empowerment of women were also analyzed. A total of 50 women serving in garment industry at Pallabi Thana in Dhaka were selected randomly from a total of 240 women. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire during January to February 2016. All the women opined for having moderate to higher level of empowerment in terms of freedom of mobility and participation in household decision making process. Even none of the women fell in low empowerment category. Before involved in IGAs it was difficult for them to go out even in relatives house and were not consulted in making household decisions. After getting job, they contributed approximately 40 to 58 percent of their income to meet family expenses. The age, level of education, family income and job experience were related to their empowerment. The women identified that social superstition, existing value system are still hinder empowerment. The adult education programme and awareness building campaign by the development agencies could mitigate the existing limitations of empowerment of women.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.4(1): 14-20, April 2017

Highlights

Bangladesh is a developing country with 160 million population whereas half of its population is women (BBS, 2015)
It is assumed that previously the women of Bangladesh have limited exposure in socio-econo-political arena, negligible freedom of mobility, influence, autonomy and power of making even household decisions
The characteristics of women such as age, level of education, family size, family annual income, job experience, and aspiration were considered as independent variables while empowerment achieved due to involvement in income generation activities (IGAs) was the dependent variable of the study

Summary

Introduction

Bangladesh is a developing country with 160 million population whereas half of its population is women (BBS, 2015). The socio-economic condition of women in Bangladesh is very low. Participation of men and women in development activities is not equal. Many indoor and outdoor activities of women are not treated as work. In market economy women of Bangladesh are always facing new challenges. Though women are working in different GO and NGOs still are not treated as equal to male. The empowerment of women in developing countries like Bangladesh has been considered as a potential working force of development. The national and international donors are paying emphasize on inclusion of women in development activities. It is assumed that previously the women of Bangladesh have limited exposure in socio-econo-political arena, negligible freedom of mobility, influence, autonomy and power of making even household decisions

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Conclusion