Outside Earning and Women’s Bargaining Power: Grassroots Realities from Selected Locations of Bangladesh

by Open Science Repository Anthropology
(May 2013)

Abstract

The paper investigates whether Sen’s (1990) statement about outside earnings and women’s better breakdown position, clearer perception of individuality and wellbeing and higher perceived contribution to the family economic position is still valid in present time. Through field research in some selective locations in Bangladesh, the paper attempts to reveal how far it is pertinent when women get outside earning through accessing micro credit. The study applies qualitative method namely focus group discussion for data collection. Different scholars’ relevant work were also reviewed and critically analyzed to pointing out impact of micro credit facilitated outside earnings in relation to three points while keeping focus on power, agency and entitlement. The findings indicate that generally outside earning creates first step for women to go outside and opens up new horizon of opportunities. However, it is hard to conclude straightforwardly that outside earning alone will achieve all above points claimed by Sen(1990), rather basic needs differ in different context. It was found that in Bangladesh extra household factors- which not challenged always by micro credit, play crucial role in determining full result of outside income.

Keywords: gender relation, micro credit, breakdown position, individuality, Bangladesh.

Full text

Outside Earning and Women’s Bargaining Power: Grassroots Realities from Selected Locations of Bangladesh