Title:
Women Empowerment Status of Bangladesh: Assessment of Char Livelihood Program Initiatives With Special Reference to Northern Char Areas

Authors:
Dr Nur-E-Shahrin Nurani, Dr Md. Assaduzzam Sarker, Dr. Zulfikar Rahman, Bangladesh

Abstract:

This paper explores the role of Char Livelihood Programme on women empowerment in northern char of Bangladesh. Char areas are characterized by a set of specific features that set them apart from other parts of Bangladesh and justify different approach. Women on the chars face an additional set of challenges because social norms are patriarchal, education opportunities are limited and they have little control over family finances or decision-making. The purpose of the present study is to know whether Chars Livelihoods Programme lead to the development of empowering women in a society.  For measuring women empowerment, the study attempted to address key issues concerning women personal, relational and environmental level of changes. The study was conducted in Sundarganj Upazila of Gaibandha district and Chilmari Upazila of Kurigram district recognized as disaster-prone area of northern Bangladesh. Four villages from four unions of mentioned Upazila were selected randomly as the locale of the research. A list of CLP women beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries’ women were considered as the population. Paired –t test analysis was conducted to compare the two groups. The paper pointed out the present condition of empowerment status of char women and also their empowerment level of changes according to personal, relational and environmental. It also discusses about the impact of Char livelihood programs initiatives on changing women level of empowerment.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51505/IJEBMR.2026.10312