Title: Empowerment and family planning in Bangladesh.

POPLINE Document Number: 102191

Author(s):

Schuler SR

Source citation:

NETWORK, 1994 Aug;15(1):16-7.

Abstract:

A 1992 survey of 1500 women (1300 married and under age 50 years) was conducted in Bangladesh. Women who participated in 1 of 2 nongovernmental programs which provide small business loans for women (the Grameen Bank and the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee) were compared with women who were not members but lived in villages served by the programs and with women who were eligible but lived in villages where the loans were not available. It was found that Grameen Bank membership had a significant positive effect on the use of contraceptives and on the rate in which the level of contraceptive use increased. The greater economic independence enjoyed by the Grameen Bank members is a factor in the increased contraceptive usage as is the promotion by the Bank of a small family norm. Empowerment indicators for women in Bangladesh include mobility, economic security, the ability to make purchases, freedom from domination and violence within the family, political and legal awareness, and participation in political activities. Women are able to achieve their fertility goals by participating in programs that decrease their social isolation and their economic dependence on men.

Keywords:

Bangladesh
Surveys
Family Planning
Women's Status
Rural Population
Nongovernmental Organizations
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
Sampling Studies
Studies
Research Methodology
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Organizations