Rajapur Hati, Jamalganj

Group 2 Observations7th Lesson Learning Workshop

Sylhet, September 6, 2012

• Creation of CBOs (33 CBOs created in CNRS innovation project of 1500 BHH)

• We visited one CBO with 43 people

Activities Observed

• Khasland transfer (all members gained access to khasland, 32 members permanent)

• Livelihood conditions improved afterwards, through cultivation of crops – regionally optimal cropping patterns developed by CBO

• One bank account opened for each CBO• Our CBO managed to save 1,34,000 BDT from

sale of crops

Addressing Vulnerabilities

• To cater to the needs of elderly woman, CNRS employed labour to till her land

• Women CBO members said they did not meet in public sphere so often before – mobility and confidence increased

• Awareness about family planning, dowry, sanitation improved

Recommendations

• Government needs to build embankments to prevent damage by flash floods

• Currently only one IGA – harvest of khasland during dry season – they need other IGAs to make money during wet season – boat, net

• They need to protect their homesteads from floods through walls – CNRS built walls around 15 villages in other project

Challenges

• Crops damaged by flash flood• Early marriage

Intergenerational problem

CBO, with land, now have hope?

Woman married to mentally disabled man, supports him, her 2 kids, & deaf father

Nani, begs to feed her daughter and 4 granddaughters

Bleak future?

25 year old, married at 12, now has 4 children, breaks stones for Lafarge

Woman with twins and two other daughters, old mom, no man

Walls around villages

CNRS planted forests

Observations

• Almost primitive, lack a critical awareness about their entitlements or rights, not particularly upset about their situation

• Women taking for granted their situations, oppression by menfolk, lack of connectivity to rest of nation but not holding gob resp

• Very isolated, low levels of education, large families (3-4 kids)

• Still much work to be done....

Conclusion

With the blessings of Shah Jalal, let us get on with our Manifesto, to bring about some sustainable positive policy changes to support the citizens of Bangladesh.