The politics of gendered space: Social norms and purdah affecting female informal work in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Labor markets are still heavily gendered everywhere, even when women's participation in the labor market is greater now than at any other time in history. Existing research shows poor women's participation in the informal economy is higher than men's in many parts of the Global South. However, this is not the case in Bangladesh. Poor Muslim women's participation, particularly where they require access to public space, is lower than men due to persistent patriarchal norms, reflected in social and religious expectations of women. Drawing on interview data with female street vendors from a slum in Dhaka, this article explores the dynamics of social and religious norms that constrain poor Muslim women's access to public space to earn income. This article contributes to the literature on gender, religion, and work by highlighting that the parochial realm offers a safer space for operating businesses without breaking social norms and by arguing that poor Muslim women experience social and religious barriers rather than legal ones. Non‐legal barriers are more amenable to change as a result, which is important for empowering women.

Gender-related influences on adherence to advice and treatment-seeking guidance for infants and young children post-hospital discharge in Bangladesh

“…Furthermore, there are differences in access to funds and decision-making processes between rural and urban areas [13,23,24,25]. Although dynamics are now changing as a result of more women earning their own income, particularly in urban areas, and in having some control over that income in caring for their children, gender discrepancies remain in many LMICs [15,[24][25][26][27]28]. Another important in uence at both household and community levels in South Asian contexts is a preference for male children, which in turn results in preferential medical treatment of boys over girls [29][30][31].…”

“…Indeed, women's employment has been documented as an important contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of poor households, particularly those without a male breadwinner [34]. However, patriarchal, religious and cultural norms that support secluding women and that reinforce social standards of female modesty have undermined many initiatives [28]. For example for married men, women working can be seen as undermining his, and his families' honour, which can lead to both men and women being stigmatised.…”

Gender-related influences on adherence to advice and treatment-seeking guidance for infants and young children post-hospital discharge in Bangladesh 

“…Furthermore, there are differences in access to funds and decisionmaking processes between rural and urban areas [13,23,24,25]. Although dynamics are now changing as a result of more women earning their own income, particularly in urban areas, and having some control over that income in caring for their children, this broad pattern remains true in many LMICs [15,[24][25][26][27]28]. Another important in uence at household and community levels in South Asian contexts is preference for male children, which in turn results in preferential medical treatment of boys over girls [29][30][31].…”

“…Indeed, women's employment has been documented as an important contribution to the economic and social wellbeing of poor households, particularly those without a male breadwinner [34]. However, patriarchal, religious and cultural norms that support secluding women and that re-enforce social standards of female modesty have undermined many initiatives [28]. For example for married men, women working can be seen as undermining his and his families' honour, which can lead to both men and women being stigmatised.…”

“…For example for married men, women working can be seen as undermining his and his families' honour, which can lead to both men and women being stigmatised. Where women are able to earn, they are paid less than men for equivalent work [28], and there are particular di culties for example for poor Muslim women in accessing even informal sector employment [35]. On marriage, a woman's family is paid dowry and she moves into her husband's home [36].…”