The present study aims to investigate the current initiative and practices of Non Government Organizations (NGOs) in sustainable socio-economic development of the rural poor people of Bangladesh. NGOs in Bangladesh have virtually grown in vast numbers since the independence. It has been observed that from the late seventies, NGOs have been playing an increasingly important role in the nation’s development process. The study used both primary data and secondary information. Primary data have been collected for this study using random sampling from 10 villages of 2 districts of Bangladesh. A number of techniques have been utilized to collected data from the respondents such as household survey, focus group discussions, in depth interviews and observations. The final valid sample (Sample 1 and Sample 2) size of respondents stood to 819 (750+69) who are the beneficiaries and officials of different NGOs located on those 10 villages of 2 districts. Mostly descriptive statistics have been used to conduct data analysis in this study. The results reveal that the members of studied NGOs have been benefited from various programs undertaken. It has been observed that the food intake of the NGO beneficiaries has increased considerably in terms of income generation, nutrition value and health consciousness. The paper is expected to be one of the basic foundations for those who want to investigate further regarding NGO operation and policy making.

Purpose As Covid-19 became a pandemic, numerous people were forced to stay at home, leading to increased intimate partner violence (IPV) in many countries, particularly in developing and least-developed ones. This paper aims to highlight the IPV based on 15 different cases formed from the practical evidence of five developing countries. Design/methodology/approach The authors interviewed 15 women from five countries who were the victims of IPV during the early periods of Covid-19 outbreak. Due to geographical remoteness, the authors conducted informal telephone interviews to collect the participants' personal experiences. The conversations were recorded with participants' permission; afterwards, the authors summarized participants’ experiences into 15 different cases without revealing their original identities (instead, disguised names were used). Findings It was revealed that the women were the primary victims of such violence, particularly from their intimate partners (husbands). In most cases, such IPV, as reported by the interviewees, originated or increased after the pandemic when they were forced to stay at home, losing their partners’ jobs or income sources. Originality/value The authors summarized the causes of IPV and put forward a few action recommendations based on the interviewees’ practical experience and existing literature. This paper will open a new window for research investigations on IPV during emergencies such as Covid-19 outbreak.