WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN RURAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES IN RANGPUR DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Women‟s participation in economic, social, political, and cultural agendas remains a challenge in a developing country. In Bangladesh, gender inequality and disempowerment have been rampant in all parts of the country attributable to the socio-cultural exclusions and economic problems prevailing in the society. Women in rural area of Bangladesh are engaged in a variety of economic activities ranging from homestead based expenditure saving activities to outside paid work. This includes employment in the agricultural and nonagricultural

labor market, but also unpaid work for the household in crop cultivation, homestead gardening, livestock and poultry raising, fishing, cottage industry, transport operation, construction, business, and personal services. Women‟s active involvement in different economic activities is considered essential for rapid economic development of the country. Despite women‟s critical contribution to the family income through productive activities, no recognition is given to them as an important contributor and their contribution is not recorded. However, women's work always remains under reported; especially women‟s non‐market homestead based economic activities. The types of work women are involved in are often overlooked by women themselves. Non recognition of women's economic activities not only leads to undervaluation of women's economic contribution but also contributes to their lower status in society relative to men. The study aims to explore women‟s economic participation through a household survey questionnaire was used for generating quantitative data. Key informant interview, in-depth interview of cases, focus group discussions and observation were methods for qualitative information. Tabular analysis was followed to know the socio-economic status of the respondents. To examine the status and quality of participation, an empowerment index was constructed and to compare the impact of participation of women, a comparative assessment was done between participants and non-participants group. It was found that, the educational status of the women in the rural area is very poor and not up to the mark. This is a major drawback for the women empowerment in that area. From the data of occupational status, it was found that among the occupied women, majority are NGO participants. They are provided by credit from ASA, IFMC and use it in productive sectors with a minimum return. It was found from the study that, non-participants women have much lower income in economic activities. So, the participant women are in a better position than the non-participants. Same conclusion was also derived for the empowerment index. It was found that the empowerment index of the agricultural participant women was higher than average empowerment level but it is much higher for non-agricultural participant women. The empowerment index for agricultural participants is 3.56 and for non-agricultural participants is 3.76 whereas the average empowerment index for all respondents is 3.66. Besides, most of the rural women in vulnerable group are non-agricultural participants and in high group, no non-participant women were found. Again from the weighted average of the decisionmaking

factors it was found that, women mostly play their role in household decisionmaking

factors. So, to increase empowerment and to make women more active, awareness building campaign and programs to give light of education should be massively run in the rural area. The realization that, participation in NGO activities will enhance their family, economic and social status should be raised among all women in the rural area. There were also some problems which disrupted the proper implementation of the thesis. The problems were tried to identify and the possible solutions were recommended. Some of the major problems identified were seasonality and inequality of women‟s employment, lack of veterinary facilities and quality seeds, lack of education opportunities, training and credit, lack of marketing and amusement facilities, social bindings, land ownership, health and sanitation and above all natural calamities. To overcome these problems some policy suggestions are recommended in the study. This study concludes that without active participation of the rural women, the contribution of agricultural sector to GDP will lag behind. Different awareness building and income generating facilities, then the participants will achieve dual benefit and their participation in economic activities and decision making role will increase.