Gender Considerations for Rural Poverty Reduction in Bangladesh

Abstract

UNICEF (2010), ADB (2011) and GOB (2011) reports reveal that Bangladesh has made significant progress in its social development areas; however, it still lack behind to eradicate poverty and sustain its social development. An initiative, rural non-farm economy (RNFE), has been introduced in Bangladesh to address poverty, social development and to empower rural women financially. RNFE has made contribution to match male–female parity in work participation and also to attain economic empowerment for women by enabling them to engage in economic activities without violating the social norms. The study indicates that women RNFE participants should get more income support and better health care facilities to maintain their subsistence and to get rid of poverty, while men RNFE participants should get more support to get involved in high-income RNFE activities and promote RNFE income growth.