poverty and development translated by shamima (few portion)

7/30/2019 Poverty and Development Translated by Shamima (Few Portion)

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Poverty and development: Realities of Grassroots

First part

Research Supervision and editing

A S M Jewel

Rifat Bin Sattar

English Translation

Shamima Nasreen

December 2011

Poverty Research and Resource Center

ActionAid Bangladesh

Editorial:

In Bangladesh efforts towards understanding mutiple dimensions of poverty, analyzing

its nature, determining causes and looking for its solution is noticeable. In this regard

Bangladesh is really setting examples. A life free from abject poverty and injustice is part

of human rights. Although sincere efforts are seen in establishing this right, poverty

alleviation is still an unrealized dream because of overpopulation, illiteracy, naturaldisasters, unequal distribution of wealth, gender discrimination, unscrupulous and

imprudent use of natural resources and lack of suitable planning and coordination.

Although violation of rights and injustice are the primary causes of poverty its causes and

condition vary according to region, society and ethnic identity. Thats why it is urgent to

analyze its multiple dimension and nature to build a society free from poverty and


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injustice. Again poverty alleviation requires evaluating the existing strategies and

endeavours as well as determining their impact. Because new ideas and strategies will be

born from it and for that research is necessary.

In Bangladesh poverty and development oriented research has not yet gained momentum.

It is still at the theoretical stage. At the field level, research on the analysis of situation,

determination of agenda, devising of plans and their implementation is nonexistant. In

poverty alleviation and development measures strategies of uprooting poverty striking at

its root is almost absent.

Action Aid Bangladesh Poverty Research and Resource centre (PRRC) aims to to ensure

sustainable development creating a field of poverty and development oriented research by

building a society free from poverty and injustice. This centre is conducting poverty and

development oriented research in increasing the capacity of Action Aid and its associate

organizations. In the first issue of PRRC e-journal findings of research conducted by

associate organizations have been published where comparative efffectiveness of old

system of micro-credit and self-reliant groups, uncertainty of work for people of monga-

affected north Bengle, low income, extreme poverty, transportation system of charlands,

health condition, life and livelihood, indigenous communitys access to health service,

maternal health and finally the effectiveness of follow-up sessions in the primary

education of children of poor families have been highlighted.

We have been inspired by these researches, which have played an important part in

project implementation. It is noteworthy that these articles are results of the first research

of the researchers. Articles may not be completely scholarly if methodological limitations

are taken into account. Nevertheless the simple analysis and explication of the

researchers will be effectively helpful in understanding the nature of poverty, which we

believe will be a valuable contribution to poverty alleviation and development efforts.

We hope that these research findings will also inspire you.


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1. Traditional micro-credit program and self-reliant groups:

Comparative effectiveness in poverty alleviation.

Shailajananda Roy

2. Uncertainty of work in most of the time of the year: Extreme

poverty of low-income peopleBiplobi Afroza

3. Underdeveloped transportation system and the state of

health service: Obstacles to lives and livelihoods of

charlanders.Mohammad Abdul Hakim

4. Access of adivasis to health service and the state of maternity

health of adivasi women

Khadija Khanam


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5.River erosion, emergence of new charland and state of its

primary educationMohammad Saiful Islam

6.The situation after Aila and sufferings of poor women and

children of Dakop regionMohammad Nazrul Islam

7. Dowry and domestic violence: Social condition and positionof womenMohammad Firoz Hossain


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1. Traditional micro-credit program and self-reliant groups:

Comparative effectiveness in poverty alleviation.

Shailajananda Roy

Abstract:

In Bangladesh since independence different non-governmental development agenda have

been undertaken to alleviate poverty, empower women and accelerate socio-economic

development. Today micro-credit program has been established as a model of povertyalleviation in the whole world. Although micro-credit program plays a part in poverty

alleviation and female empowerment its application and effectiveness is not

unquestionable. Assistance for slum dwellers (ASD) focusing on the underprivileged

women of Dhaka city is working for the development of their social and economic

condition providing micro-credit through the Micro finance program for urban people

(MFPUP) and creating self-reliant groups through Integrated development program for

Urban adolescent and women (IDPUAW). The present article presents the scenario of

comparative effectiveness of traditional system of micro-credit and self-reliant groups.

2. Uncertainty of work in most of the time of the year: Extreme

poverty of low-income people

Biplobi Afroza

Abstract:The picture of life and livelihood of 100 families of 5 villages belonging to Rajpur and

Khuniagach Union of Lalmonirhat derived through discussion with them is very painful

and miserable. The marginal population of Rajpur and Khuniagach is a glowing instance


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of how uncertain and inhuman human life can be. Except for working as day labourer on

the land of others they have no other experience. The number of cultivable land has

decreased with the decline of farming households. As day labourers far surpass the

number of works the price of labourer is low in this region. Some of them being driven

by poverty sell labour in advance. Throughout the year work is available in only one

season in this area. Most of the time they have to run their families taking loan from

moneylenders at a high interest rate. Men visit other districts in search of work. Before

leaving home they make the arrangement of meeting household cost by taking products

from shops on loan. Upon return their earned money is consumed by paying previous

loans. In the case of some of them it is found that loan amount is not repaid but they have

to take further loans or sell little valuables of their home to run their household. This

article apart from the occupational uncertainty and economic exploitation highlighted

their struggle for the betterment of their life.

3. Underdeveloped transportation system and the state of

health service: Obstacles to lives and livelihoods of

charlanders.Mohammad Abdul Hakim

Abstract:

The portion of north channel union of Faridpur situated on the other side of the Padma is

naturally isolated from the mainland. It is not only an island as a charland rather the

charlanders are also deprived of all the facilities. Medical service is one of the basic

human needs. But the people of this region are severely deprived of medical service.

Sometimes health camps are held, but till now no steps have been taken for solving the

problems of charlanders on a regular basis. One of the major obstacles of addressing

problems related to medical service is poor transportation system. Trawler is the only


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means of going to the city for availing medical treatment. The number of trawlers is not

only low but they are also not available in times of need. As a result, an extremely ill

patient canot be taken to the city hospital or doctors for treatment. Many a time because

of time-consuming process of transportation patients die on their way to the city hospital.

Besides the charlanders are also lagging behind in trade and commerce for the poor

transportation system. This article focuses on the transportation system and the state of

medical service in the charlands. This article also highlights how the underdeveloped

transportation system and poor medical service impede the lives and livelihoods of

charlanders.

4. Access of adivasis to health service and the state of maternity

health of adivasi women

Khadija Khanam

Abstract:

Adivasi women remain sick most of the time because of lack of food. They are very

indifferent about their health. They have to remain busy all the time with meeting ends of

the family- they have to perform all the chores of the family along with working on land.

So, they do not have any time to pay attention to their health. Moreover, they avoid

personal problems because of many reasons. They do not go to health centres for

treatment. Their health condition is very vulnerable due to illiteracy, poverty and

superstition and there is no health service fro them. They are neglected at the health

centre. The health of women particularly the health state during pregnancy is worse.

Women cannot share the problem experienced during pregnancy with the husband.

Adivasi women for many problems like these suppress disease in their body which often

causes their death. In this article, the vulnerable health condition of adivasi women, its

causes and impact on their life have been highlighted.


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5.River erosion, emergence of new charland and state of its

primary educationMohammad Saiful Islam

Abstract:

4 villages named Boro Piari, Choto Piari, Baniagati and Pachgachi belonging to Kalia

Haripur union of Sadar Upazila of Sirajganj disappeared into the river in the last 40-45years. In course of time the engulfed area re-emerged 15 years ago and human habitation

started. Day by day human habitat has been growing rapidly but no educational

institution has been established so far. Once upon a time these were schools in these

villages, which had been relocated before they were consumed by river water. But no

school has been relocated in the re-emerged charland even the possibility of relocation is

not visible. Thousands of children living in the charland have been being deprived of

education for the last 12 years. The next generation is also going to face the same

situation. The children being deprived of education are getting involved with child labour

and the rate of child marriage is increasing along with malnutrition and mortality rate of

child and mother. Because of it education for all program is being hampered declared by

NPA-2 and national education policy-2009. The article focuses on such a scenario of

education in the charlands of the country.


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6.The situation after Aila and sufferings of poor women and children of Dakop

region

Mohammad Nazrul Islam

Abstract:

The south-western coastal region of Bangladesh is situated in the highest risk area of

climate change. The poor people of this region are being affected most in any disaster as

their capacity to cope with the changed circumstances and the accompanying socio-

economic condition is low. The impact of cyclone Aila on the Dakop region of Khulna is

beyond description. Its deadly impact is still felt on the agriculture, fish stock,

environment, biodiversity, ecology, water and livelihood. Its impact is manifold on

women, children, aged people and physically handicapped people. This study was

conducted to measure the impact of cyclone Aila on poor women and children in Dakop

region of Khulna. This study was conducted in Kalabogi village belonging to Shutarkhali

union of Dakop upazila of Khulna district using methods like analysis of intermediate

data, personal interview, case study and Focused Group Discussion. The deterioration of

endangered condition of women and children because of the damage of the cyclone to the

life and livelihoods, education of children, social and natural resources, water and

sanitation, agriculture, environment and fish resource have been highlighted in this

research. Although two years have passed the study area is still in the same state and its

deadly impact is seen on women and children. It has stopped education of 68% of the

children. 98% children became sick after Aila of whom 13% are yet to recover. Besides

there are social problems. Women and children have to huddle in the same shanty with

other members of the family. Work opportunities have declined dramatically.

Considering everything both government and non-government assistance is indispensable

for getting rid of this situation which has been emphasized in this research report.


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Background

The cyclone Aila struck fiercely on 25 November 2009 in Dakop, Paikgacha, Koyra of

Khulna district; Ashashuni, Shamnagar of Satkhira; Rampal, Mongla and Shoronkhola of

Bagerhat district. Deadly cyclones like Aila have struck Bangladesh before. But their

frequent and severe occurrence indicate the impact of climate change. The entire coast of

Bangladesh is today under severe threat. The Sidr and Aila ravaged the coastal region but

these two cyclones appeared within a short span of time. Sundarban which is the largest

mangrove forest was almost destroyed by Aila. The Dakop region of Khulna is very close

to Sundarban. Sundarban could neither save itself as a great wall nor the inhabitants of

Dakop from the deadly effect of Aila. Indiscriminate destruction of the forest resources of

Sundarban has put it into such threatening situation. However, Dakop has experienced

river erosion to a great extent, long-term waterlogging, excessive saltiness and tidal wave

because of Aila. As a result the life and livelihood of the inhabitants of the area has been

endangered.

Kamarkhola and Shutarkhali union of Dakop are situated very close to Sundarban. 90%

people of this region are dependent on the natural resources of Sundarban and its rivers.

But Aila has put them into the face of great danger. A great number of families have left

the area because of siltation in the river, excessive saltiness, decline of resources in

Sundarban and the attack of tigers. The Dakop upazila of Khulna is composed of 9 unions

and 1 Pourasava. The administrative activities started in Dakop from 1913 and in 1983 it

was turned into an upazila. The total population of this upazila is 175000 of whom male

91000 and female 84000. Literacy rate is 53.60%. The amount of total land is 28.557

hectres (census 2001, Statistics office Dakop). Geographically Dakop upazila is distinct

from other areas as it has to its one side the world famous sundarban and on the other side

the Shibsha, Vodra, Dhaki, Sundarban and other small rivers surround it. An

embankment was built in the 60s to save Dakop from tidal wave. In the 80s because of

building sluice gates in the embankment and cultivating shrimp in the land using salty

water the natural firmness of soil was spoiled. So, when Aila attacked the embankment of

Kamarkhola and Shutarkhali union of Dakop upazila quite easily broke down. The whole


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area is going under water and rising from it as the embankment broke down. So, not only

natural disaster but man-made one is also causing the people of the area much misery.

The poor people of this area used to live in mud house with the shade of gol pata. Aila

razed mud houses to the ground, the victims have taken shelter on the broken

embankment. They do not have any work opportunity. So they are leading their life in

extreme hardship and its deadly impact has fallen on women and children. Women after

the Aila are feeing insecure and children do not have any certainty of food. Their

education is hampered as educational institutions have collapsed. They do not have any

option of playing games as the play field has been damaged by the flood water. The

inhabitants of the area have to collect water from places which are 8-10 k.m away as the

water around them is not fit for drinking and it has to be done by women. in many cases

people of this area along with women and children are being affected by stomach ache

and other skin diseases because of drinking dirty and salty water having no options left.

The shortage of firewood has multiplied the misery of women as they have to collect it

for cooking purpose of the family. Sanitation for women is also absent. Adolescent boys

and girls have to share the same hut in an unhealthy environment with other members of

the family which is obstructing their physical and mental development.

A research entitled- The situation after Aila and sufferings of poor women and children

of Dakop region was conducted in 2010 to highlight the poor condition of women and

children. The study aimed at measuring the impact of Aila on poor women and children

of Dakop region. Objectives were: a) to identify the damage done by Aila and its socio-

economic and environmental impact; b) to analyze the impact of damage done by Aila

and its socio-economic aftermath on poor women and children; and c) to look for

possibilities and opportunities of reducing the misery of poor women and children.

Research method

Kalabogi village belonging to Shutarkhali union of Dakop Upazila of Khulna district was

selected as the study area. In four villages called Shutarkhali, Nolian, Kalabogi and


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Gunari of Shutarkhali union there are 6720 families of which Kalibogi village has 2469

families. In this village there are highest number of poor families who were most affected

by Aila. They have to earn their living by catching fish and collecting resources of

Sundarban. The raging Shibsha flows beside the village and on the other side flows the

Sundarban. These rivers are eroding constantly. Aila broke the embankment and water

entered the village and caused much damage. Although embankment in other areas of the

union had been repaired but it could not be done so in this area. So, poor women, men,

children, aged people and handicapped people are in a helpless situation. The present

study selected the village to measure the deadly impact of Aila. 75 women and 25

children of Kalabogi village were purposively selected. Data were collected using review

of intermediate data, personal interview, case study and Focused Group Discussion. In

this regard interview schedule composed of stuctured questions written in Bangla have

been used. A checklist was used for FGD and case study.

Damage of Aila

Aila- the devastating cyclone which attacked in 2009 mutiplied the endangeredness of

people several times. All the unions of Dakop went under water and more than 1 lac

people became the victim. They lost all their resources instantly as every property was

destroyed. Fifty thousand people took shelter on roads, embankments or cyclone shelter

losing their home. The crops of 2700 acres of land got damaged and the land also became

unfit for cultivation because of salty water. According to the office of Upazila officer

85% schools, madrasa and libraries of Dakop Upazila were completely destroyed because

of Aila and the rest were partially damaged. 90% religious institutions, 40% cyclone

shelter, 100% eidgah, shops of 55% hat (weekly market), 100% bamboo bridge, concrete

bridge and culvert and 100% roads were destroyed. The victims are still shocked because

of the devastating Aila.


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Impact on life and livelihood

Before Aila occupations of most of the people of the study area were to catch fish in the

river, collect fish fries, drive van and motor cycle on hire, dig earth, work in the shrimp

enclosure, work as day labourers and collect fish, crabs, honey and golpata inside the

sundarban. As cultivation declined due to salinity and shrimp enclosure so only a few

people were involved with agricultural work. Women used to work in the shrimp

enclosure, collect fish fries in the river, work as domestic help, dig earth, work in the fish

market and were involved in household management. Before Aila men used to earn 120-

150 tk per day and women 20-60 tk, but after Aila because of the disappearance of

agricultural work and shrimp enclosure there is no work other than digging earth and

catching fish in the river. As most of the women have been involved in these occupations

the supply of labourers has increased manifold. So, work opportunity and income of poor

people have decreased by half. As the opportunity of collecting natural resources from

sundarban declined and the amount of fish in the rivers also decreased the male members

of the family have to leave other members in the shanty houses on embankment in an

insecure state in search of work to city districts. Some of them come back after several

months and some leave the area with family members and relatives. The number of this

kind of families is 34. People still wait in the shelter houses for relief. Food security has

collapsed completely. Most of the people are spending days taking food only one time a

day. As no crops are produced in the area the price of food items is also very high. People

are living on rice and rice water only so most of them are suffering from malnutrition and

women and children are being badly affected by it.


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Impact on agriculture, fish and livestock

Increase of salinity and because of cultivating shrimp for a long time trapping saline

water in the enclosure the soil of Dakop became unsuitable for paddy and vegetable

cultivation. As the entire area stayed under water for one long year the cultivation

became non-existent. Women who were involved with agriculture and its production lost

their work. Only 19% families of the sample have cultivable land. They used to get 5-7

maunds of rice in every year bigha per annum cultivating paddy along with shrimp and

fish with which they could support their families for 3-4 months. But everything was

washed away by Aila along with fish when those lands went under water. As lands have

been under water for a long time and because of high and low tide, siltation has raised the

height of land which could be made suitable for cultivation only in future. 65%

respondents used to earn their living by catching fish from rivers and sundarban area. But

now they are leading a miserable life because of Aila. They are earning their living by

digging earth for repairing the dam. Every family had some hen, ducks, cows and goats

which have been washed away by Aila. Livestock and domestic birds of 78% respondents

Number of earning people

97

68

165

61 58

119

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Men Women Total Men Women Total

Post AilaPre Aila


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have either died or got washed away and the rest of them could save their animals

partially.

The state of water and sanitation

The people of Kalabogi village from olden days were dependent on pond water and

rainfall. The respondents had to collect water from a distance of 1-3 km. But Aila has

turned the pond water unsuitable for drinking by salinity. Now they have to collect pond

water by small dhingy from upazila sadar, adjacent Botiaghati and Paikgacha upazila.

They have to buy 20 litres of pond water at 20 tk. The poor people are suffering from

different diseases drinking contaminated water. 82% of the respondents used sanitary

toilet before Aila which at present has declined to 18%. Aila apart from washing away

homesteads has also destroyed the sanitation system. As a result thousands of men,

women, children and aged people taking shelter on dam have become the victim of

unhealthy environment. Women are defecating at night in open spaces beside the river

and inside the sundarban having no other alternative and children are defecating on the

dam and in open spaces.

Impact on childrenState of educationThe literacy rate of Kalabogi village was 42.5%. 49% respondents are illiterate. There are

two primary schools and a madrasah in the village. As these institutions were greatly

damaged the schools were completely closed down for the first three months. The

number of students before Aila was 960. Although afterwards a temporary house made of

woods with one room was established with government and non-government assistance

on the embankment, the education of 68.5% children have stopped. The family of many

children took shelter in adjacent union and other upazila having found no room on the

dam. So the education of these children has stopped completely.


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Mental impact on children

Children were most affected by Aila. They then led days in terror and fright which have

been revealed in group and personal discussion and case study. They could not make

anyone understand their mental state, many of them used to cry, insist for food and their

hand and feet became frozen out of fear. It only seemed to them that the world would be

destroyed. The fear of death used to work all the time in their mind. They got scared

seeing dead animals and snakes of jungle. They used to cry out loud in their sleep after

Aila and hug their parents at the sight of clouds. They used to remain gloomy always as

schools, books and playing field got destroyed.

Health of the children:After Aila children suffered from fever, diarrhoea, dysentery, itching, flu, coughing,

flatulence, stomach ache, head ache, gastritis, belching, swelling of throat and pneumonia

most of which are still existent. 98% child respondents got sick after Aila of whom 13 are

yeat to recover.

Excessive workload on children:

After Aila excessive workload got imposed on children. 85% children help their families

collecting drinking water. 95% children (at least 8 years old) work alongside the grown-

ups in repairing the dam. 98% children help people in constructing houses on the road.

85% children accompany their mothers in taking and carying relief goods. 90% children

catch fish in the small pond and river. 65% children help in collecting firewood.


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Impact of Aila on womenThe trouble of women and adolescent girls

All the female respondents said that as all the family members live in the same hut the

natural interaction between husband and wife is obstructed. So husbands do behave

unnaturally with their wives. Adolescent girls live in fear as they along with other family

members and villagers have to live in the same place at night. 85% women and

adolescent girls said that bad boys give them indecent look and gesture. Pregnant mothers

and women face troubles in their movement as there is water everywhere. Women

encounter problem during their period as water and sanitation system has collapsed.

Women cannot respond to the call of nature during day time for the lack of sanitation

system. 65% women said that they received indecent proposal from their close relatives.

They said at night torch light is thrown inside the doorless shanties built on dam.

Professions of women

74 6

95

18

3

23

17

0 0

25

1 0 1

31

05

1015202530

35

Hou

sewife

Farm

ing

Agric

ultu

ralla

...

Digging

Househ

oldhe

lp

shrim

plabo

ur

Smallb

usin

ess

Fishin

g

Pre- Aila Post- Aila


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Case study 1: Asmani wants to go home

Asmani Khatun (9), father- Nazrul Sana, mother: Shahinoor Begum, village- Kalabogi. in

the place of their houses full of trees now there is only water. The bed of small pond

emerge like a skeleton during low tide. Her mother only sheds tears looking at the

situation. Asmani who reads in class 3 said that her father used to catch fish from the

river, of which some were sold and the rest were cooked by her mother. The taste of fried

fish with hot rice is unknown to her after Aila. On the day of Aila when her father and

mother went to rescue ducks, goats and collect other things keeping us on the dam then

my younger brother was screaming hearing the rumble of cloud and seeing water. I out of

fear embracing my brother was only reciting the name of Allah with eyes closed. It

seemed to me that both of us would die either by thunderbolt or water wave. I cannot

remember how long did I stay like this. I opened my eyes hearing the scream of my

mother and saw that she was making way through chest-deep water. Then father made a

hut after 6 days of Aila collecting some small poles. Still we live in this hut at night and

spend the daytime on the road. I cannot go to school as aschool is under water and heard

that classes are taken on the dam. The school is on the other side of small pond from the

place we are living. But who will take me to school. Father works whole day with mud

and goes outside if work is not available in the area. Mother goes to catch fish in the

river. I have to look after my younger brother. I remember the face of school friends. I

wish to play with them. But what can I do if I cannot return home?


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Excessive workload on women

After Aila workload on women has increased. Before Aila only 9 women among the

respondents were involved with digging earth which after Aila has increased to 25. Now

90% women dig earth for the building of dam on the basis of voluntary labour. 82%

women catch fish along with men for procuring food for family. They have to collect

firewood from sundarban for cooking purpose. 95% women have to travel 5/7 k.m on

foot for collecting fresh water. Sometimes they have to collect water from adjacent

Paikgacha upazila crossing the furious Shibsha through small dinghies. As men move

outside the area in search of work 90% women have to go to Upazila Sadar which is

10/15 k.m away for collecting government and non-government relief. Women have to

go to the market place as men are absent. Besides women and children are being affected

by diseases because of dirty water and environment and women have to go for the

treatment of them and their children.

Diseases of women and adolescent girls

After Aila diseases of women have frequently increased. Diarrhoea, dysentery, itching,

skin rupture, vomiting, itching in the womb, boils, head ache, dizziness, gastritis, viral

fever, blood dysentery, burning sensation in hand and foot etc have become acute most of

which are still existent. 32% female respondents were suffering from different diseases

before Aila but after the cyclone 100% women have been afffected by one or other

disease.

Government and non-government initiativesThe government has been giving 20 kgs of rice to every family after Aila and provided

some triple which is inadequate compared to the demand. Besides government has been

implementing some programs like food and tk for work for the repairment of dam which

has benefitted to some extent the hardcore poor. Government has provided 3000 tk to

every family. Besides the government has decided to give 20000 tk per family through

bank for the house repairment and creating work opportunities. Non-governmental

organizations also implemented relief and rehabilitation work after Aila. Many of them


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are still continuing with their program. But none of them are able to help everyone and

some flaws have been found in providing assistance. Some of the victims have received

help from more than one organization but some have received none at all.

Case study 2: Now I live by begging because of Aila

Chandu Bibi is 68 years old. Her husband Sobed Ali cannot work because of being aged. Her

offsprings are busy with their own fmilies. One of her sons is physically handicapped. Her

family now consists of her husband and handicapped son. Before Aila she used to earn

her living by working as domestic help and collecting fish fries. She now has taken

shelter on the dam building a hut with her ill husband and her son. The bigger problem

for her is managing food for stomach rather than finding a shelter. No one employs her as

domestic help as everyone has been affected severely by Aila. Fish fries are not available

like before even after staying for longer hours in the saline water. Because people whoa

were involved in other occupations has now become engaged with catching fish. After

Aila her illness has also deteriorated. She remains sick very often. village doctor said that

she has fever as she stays long in the water. 20 kgs of rice given as VGF by the

government is the only means of her survival which can support her family members for

12-15 days. So, she had no other options other than start begging to manage food for the

rest of the days of the month. But she finds it painful to beg.

Recommendations:

*To ensure the return of people to their homes with the rapid repairment of the dam with

government initiative. To provide assistance for building houses. To build the dam at


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least 500 feet inside from the riverside. The dam bed should be at least 90 feet and in the

upper side 30 feet wide and 12 feet high. To repair dam and make it high on a regular

basis. To look after the dam and maintain the river flow normal by dredging. To build

roads to re-establish the transportation system and ensure health service at the level of

union.

*to aware women and children of their duties before, during and after the disaster. To

ensure effective measures to communicate the danger signal of disaster for which

government and non-government coordination is urgent.

*to build shelter houses suitable for women, children, aged people, pregnant women and

handicapped people. To take up mental development program so that children can get

over the fearful situation during the disaster. To ensure the safety of women and children

during the disaster. To ensure the participation of women in the rehabilitation and

emergency work forming female voluntary groups.*to go for afforestation program beside rivers in the open spaces outside the dam. To

plant salinity resistant trees on both sides of the dam. To plant trees by government

initiative in the dam as well as in the homestead area and protect sundarban and ensure

the rights of forest dependent people. Besides people should be made aware of climate

change process and expand the scope of climate related research.

*to stop making sluice gates cutting dam. To cultivate freash water fish inside the dam

area instead of shrimp. To give more importance to agriculture by controlling shrimp

cultivation in order to prevent salinity. To make specific plans for shrimp cultivation.

*to create work opportunities for people. To create scope for salinity resistant agriculture

and alternative work. To increase the frequency of safety net programs. To rehabilitate

landless people in government land.

Conclusion:

The south-western coastal region of Bangladesh is in the highest risk zone because of

climate change. The poor people due to their lack of enough coping capacity to socio-

economic condition changed through climate change are being affected most. Specialists

say that in this country the huge population of coastal region of Bangladesh will turn into

climatic refugees. For the last 30 years the height of tidal wave in Dakop region has been


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increasing by 3-4 mm. If the sea level rises one metre only it will completely destroy the

source of fresh water and endager human life and sundarban. This study revealed that the

life and livelihood of women of Dakop are already at stake due to natural disasters. But

Aila has multiplied their sufferings many times. As food security system has collapsed

they have been affected badly. The destruction of occupations related to agriculture and

shrimp cultivation through Aila has reduced work opportunities for women drastically.

They have been burdened with excessive workload. The water and sanitation system has

collapsed completely along with the submersion of homesteads by Aila. So, women who

have taken shelter on dam are in real trouble, which has endangered them most. women

are being affected by many diseases. The women who have taken shelter on the dam are

leading their life in extreme insecurity. Quite often women and adolescent girls have to

be the victims of sexual harrasment. Children are suffering from malnutrition due to the

lack of sufficient food. Most of the children have dropped out of primary education, and

they also have to tolerate extra load of work. Due to long-term effect of Aila, women and

children are leading their life in extreme form of uncertainty and insecurity. In this

situation government should take necessary steps. Government should first and foremost

help people build home and repair the dam. Then it should build roads to re-establish

transportation system and to ensure health service at Upazilla level to deal with health

crisis. It is urgent to create work opportunities for people, to introduce agriculture which

matches with saline environment and to create alternative work opportunities and to

increase social safety net program in order to help people get rid of crisis of Aila. People

who are landless should be rehabilitated in government land. Only then this crisis can be

dealth with effeciently.


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References

1. Pantha, Sajjadur Rahim (compiled &Ed.) (2009) Disaster and Climate ChangeSeries-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, CSS, Khulna.

2. Mejbahuddin Ahammed Rampage of Aila, The Daily Janakantha, June 13, 2009,Dhaka.

3. Shamsuzzaman Several thousands people in Dakop with no food and water, TheDaily Prothom Alo, October 30, 2009, Dhaka.

4. Shamsuzzaman Aila-affected Dakop, The Daily Prothom Alo, March 15, 2010,

Dhaka.

5. Abul Momen Frown Farming Risking the Protection Dam, The Daily Prothom Alo,April 29, 2010, Dhaka.

6. Shipon Bhuiyan More than 50 Families of Dakop Left Their Locality after 10

Months of Aila, The Daily Purbanchol, March 11, 2010, Khulna.

7. Ashraful Alam Tutu Flood 2004, South-West Coast and Inundated Khulna, CDP,Khulna.

8. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Dhaka (2001) Dakop Upazila at A Glance.

9. Upazila Statistics Office, Dakop, Khulna (2009) Aila-affected Dakop Upazila.

Md Nazrul Islam is the Monitoring and Documentation Officer of Ulashi Srijani

Sangstha, Khulna.


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7. Dowry and domestic violence: Social condition and position of women

Mohammad Firoz Hossain

Abstract:

Dowry and domestic violence are intimately linked with each other. How dowry and

domestic violence impact the social condition and standing of women has been

highlighted in this research. The study aimed at investigating the context of domestic

violence due to dowry, its impact and looking for ways out of dowry and domestic

violence. This study was conducted in 5 villages belonging to Ramkrisnapur union of

Daulatpur upazila of Kustia district. The causes, types of domestic violence and condition

and standing of women in the existing social system have been analyzed through this

research. This research has proved that dowry is the main element of domestic violence.

But despite that the giving and taking of dowry has become a norm. According to the

respondents, dowry is paid in the hope that the girl will be happy in the house of her in-

laws and most of the dowries are demanded before the marriage. Most of the respondents

said that they are tortured physically and mentally because of dowry which has a negative

impact on their conjugal life, children, family and their social standing. Dowry makes


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them so subordinate that women cannot express their views in the family and cannot

move independently in the society. This research reflected that women from poor

families are vitims of more domestic violence. Besides this research also highlighted who

are most involved with dowry and why, how dowry turns into a social disease, what are

the far-reaching bad effects of dowry, the implementation and effectiveness of existing

dowry prevention act and the social-administrative role in its prevention. This research

report also gives direction in determining our agenda regarding the prevention of dowry

and protection of status, honour and rights of women and human rights. This study makes

it clear that dowry is one of the main reasons of domestic violence. So it has been said if

dowry is reduced so will domestic violence.

poverty and development translated by shamima (few portion)

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