Advancement of Rural Poor Women through Small Entrepreneurship Development: The Case of Bangladesh

Abstract

The present paper deals with the performance and role of small entrepreneurship in socioeconomic development of rural poor women. The selected households for the study divided into three categories of enterprises, namely livestock and poultry, nursery & handicraft making. The sample size for this study was 90.Findings revealed that the average annual income generation per household of livestock and poultry, nursery, and handicraft enterprise groups were Tk 55080, Tk39558 and Tk35630 respectively. Average change in annual income was 110.74 percent after being involved with different small enterprises. Findings also showed significant development indicators revealed that most of the respondents of all three enterprises reported "high" in different indicators. The different aspects of health status, sanitation awareness increased to expected level. Change in housing unites after involvement is quite reverse to that of before involvement. There has been great change in the number of own tube-well after involvement with enterprise and 100 percent households used the sanitary latrines whereas it was only 24 percent before involvement. And 138 per cent increase in working days; this positive change indicates that the small enterprise has generated new self employment activities for the rural poor women. The analysis revealed that different small enterprise activities contributed significantly to livelihood development of the household in general and increased participation of rural poor women in economic activities and household decision making in particular.

Men’s Perceptions of Women’s Participation in Development Initiatives in Rural Bangladesh

“…WPD can have some positive outcomes, such as women’s increased participation in socioeconomic activities, which can in turn improve their status, independence, and health-seeking behaviors ( Ahmed et al, 2006 ; Dineen & Le, 2015 ; Hadi, 2001 , 2005 ; Hamad & Fernald, 2015 ; Kabir & Huo, 2011 ; Madhania et al, 2015 ; Nahar et al, 2011 ; Strobach & Zaumseil, 2007 ). An exclusive focus on WPD can, however, also create confusion and contradictions among men.…”

“…WPD has also become a controversial issue connected to women’s vulnerabilities to higher workloads, marital conflict, and domestic violence. A few studies have reported that WPD can improve women’s income and health ( Dineen & Le, 2015 ; Hamad & Fernald, 2015 ; Kabir & Huo, 2011 ; Madhania, Tompkinsa, Jacka, & Fishera, 2015 ; Nahar, Banu, & Nasreen, 2011 ), whereas other studies reported that WPD may increase their workloads, family conflicts and exposure to domestic violence ( Angelucci, 2008 ; Ashraf Ali, 2014 ; Enloe, 2015 ; Hippert, 2011 ; Karim, Emmelin, Resurreccion, & Wamala, 2012 ; Sigalla & Carney, 2012 ).…”

Determinants of the Business Performance of Women Entrepreneurs in the Developing World Context

“…Bangladesh is mostly confined to a traditional societal setting where women are underprivileged; having a highly marginalized social position might create significant obstacles to developing their own businesses [20,26]. The prevailing socio-cultural norms and traditions in this country might constrain women's mobility and, thereby, their participation in business activities [11,27]. In fact, Bangladeshi women's business operations largely depend on patriarchy and religion [20,26].…”

In competency Aspects of Microfinance Industry: Via SFA approach

“…Afterward, it multiplied in geometric progression and chased by almost all the nations, particularly developing due to its plain, yet effectual structure. Several studies (Johansen and Nilsson, 2007;Kabir and Huo, 2011) have proven its verity, as an appropriate technique to empower the underprivileged and to enlarge their earning propensity. It is generally believed that the success of microfinance lies in its fundamental role of easy credit provision to poor section, economically active but financially constrained, that has been ignored by the moneymaking commercial sector for years.…”