LIVELIHOOD SECURITY OF WOMEN FARMERS IN NATORE DISTRICT

Abstract

In the male dominated society women are in a disadvantageous position in Bangladesh. The total development hampers if the livelihood status of women is not be increased or remained as low as it nowadays. The objectives of the study were, therefore, to select and describe a set of important characteristics (or indicators) of women farmers that are collectively represent their livelihood security, to assess the livelihood security status and to determine key factors of improving livelihood security of women farmers. The livelihood security of women farmers was assessed by developing a composite livelihood security index (CLSI) consisting of 3 dimensions: social, economic and institutional. Indicators were selected by reviewing literature. Data were collected from six CIGs (Common Interest Groups) having 120 women farmers of six villages from three unions of Baraigram upazila under Natore district. The results revealed that about 64 percent of the respondents were able to secure their livelihood. Multiple regression analysis shows that the important contributing factors were education (0.672), health and sanitation (0.196), food availability (0.166) and institutional functions (0.155). The study concludes that the process of facilitating learning (e.g. formal education) is crucial for improving the livelihood security of women farmers. The study recommends livelihood security of women farmers can be enhanced by enhancing education, investing in health facilities and sanitation, achieving food security and increasing capacities of the local institutions like Union Parishad.