This study was conducted (to explore the changes in ideology, attitudes and aspirations of the rural women involved with BRAC Village Organizations (VO) with “-respect to gender equity.’ Being a part of BRAC-ICDDR,B Joint Research Project, the study was conducted in three villages of Matlab Thana. The research method for this study was qualitative. Data collection techniques included life histories for case studies, key informant interviews and group discussions. The study revealed important changes in the thought and ideology of BRAC women compared to non-BRAC women. BRAC women, however, appeared to be in a transition period as indicated by contradictions and confusions between they thought and what they actually practiced. Certain factors had a great influence on BRAC women’s thoughts and ideology which were absent in the lives of non-BRAC women like social and legal awareness training, credit, mobility, workload etc. Pathways through which changes in views on gender equity were explored. The study concludes that development interventions like BRAC’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) contributory in a tangible fashion to the transformation of patriarchal ideology and attitude.
Author: Mahbub, Amina
Type: Working Paper
Year: 1999
