Posts

, ,

5 Charities Operating in Bangladesh

Charities Operating in BangladeshBangladesh has made significant strides from poverty to becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. The poverty rate has gone from 41.6% to 18.7% in the past decade. While improvements in health care and education are notable, many areas still lack essential resources. Bangladeshis living in poverty-stricken areas have inadequate access to healthcare, education and food, with about 25% of the country being food insecure.

In addition, Bangladesh has the fourth highest child marriage rate in the world, primarily affecting rural populations living in poverty. These populations often turn to child marriage as they are unable to provide for their daughters. Despite progress, disparities persist, leaving some regions underserved.

To address these challenges, several charities are actively working on the ground in Bangladesh. They aim to ensure equitable access to vital resources for all citizens. These organizations play a crucial role in bridging the gap and empowering communities through supporting health care, education and poverty alleviation. Here are five charities operating in Bangladesh:

Save the Children

Save the Children is a global nongovernmental organization (NGO) that stands as a vigilant guardian for children worldwide, committed to shielding them from potential harm. Operating in Bangladesh since 1970, its initiatives encompass essential programs such as health, education and protective measures.

Noteworthy achievements include spearheading the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) MaMoni Maternal Care Strengthening Project, a five-year program that began in 2018. It aimed to increase access to quality maternal and newborn health care and to reduce the maternal and neonatal mortality rate for marginalized communities.

Additionally, there’s the Reading Enhancement for Advancing Development (READ) project, a five-year program that took place from 2013 to 2018. This initiative provided training for teachers and reading materials for students, impacting more than one million learners. Moreover, Save the Children’s efforts extend to aiding Rohingya refugees residing in southeastern Bangladesh by building facilities such as toilets, health care centers and learning centers, exemplifying its unwavering commitment to the well-being and production of vulnerable children in the region.

Jaago Foundation

Jaago Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 that is dedicated to empowering underprivileged individuals across Bangladesh, with a focus on education, youth development and women’s empowerment. Currently, its endeavors include blistering technological skills among students and expanding access to education through digital platforms.

In addition, it provides scholarships to women, ensuring they can pursue and continue their education, thus fostering a more inclusive and equitable society. Through its efforts, it has helped provide access to education to more than 3,500 students and engaged 16,000 children in reading initiatives. Through these initiatives, the Jaago Foundation is catalyzing transformative change and paving the way for a brighter future for all.

Thrive Global

Thrive Global has been on a mission to combat child hunger in Bangladesh by providing nutritious meals to schools. It has collaborated with local NGOs since 2012. USAID approximates that 25% of Bangladesh remains food insecure, including 36% of kids under 5 years of age. Children remain one of the most vulnerable populations to malnutrition.

Thrive Global’s targeted efforts are concentrated in underprivileged areas, particularly urban slums, where access to adequate nutrition is often scarce. Each day, it provides meals to about 2,100 students at 11 different schools across Bangladesh; 20 more schools are currently on the waiting list to receive daily meals.

Recently, Thrive Global has extended its reach to the Philippines, expanding its impactful initiatives beyond borders to address the pressing issue of childhood malnutrition in more communities. Through dedicated work, the nonprofit is sowing seeds of hope and nourishment for a brighter future for children in need.

Girls Not Brides

Another of the charities operating in Bangladesh is Girls Not Brides, an international organization that is at the forefront of the global movement to eradicate child marriages. Launched in Bangladesh in 2013, it focuses on nurturing youth leadership and empowering young activists, as well as advocating for increased investment in programs aimed at ending child marriage.

In 2017, the organization was involved in the technical revision of the Child Marriage Restrain Act, a law intended to make sure that girls under the age of 18 and boys under the age of 21 are protected from unlawful marriage. It continues to lobby the government for the enforcement of the act while simultaneously striving to raise public awareness throughout the country.

Girls Not Brides has reached nearly 50,000 girls across Bangladesh through its efforts to end child marriage. This nonprofit is driving meaningful change toward a future free from child marriage in Bangladesh and beyond.

Brackett Refugee Foundation

Brackett Refugee Education Fund is a nonprofit foundation established in 1997 and dedicated to providing education for refugees, particularly internally displaced children. It supports children in poverty-stricken regions by providing financial contributions so they can go to school. With a focus on Burma, Bangladesh, India and Thailand, it supports students at various levels, including to hundreds of university students, offering them a chance at a brighter future amid adversity.

In Bangladesh, the organization supports educational assistance to Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar through the Children on the Edge program, which sets up learning centers and digital initiatives. By focusing on providing access to education, it empowers these vulnerable populations to foster resilience and opportunities for a brighter future.

Looking Forward

Bangladesh’s progress in tackling poverty is evident, but challenges persist, particularly regarding regional disparities in access to essential resources. Charities operating in Bangladesh play a vital role in bridging these gaps and fostering a more equitable society. As Bangladesh continues to develop, ongoing efforts to address inequality are essential for ensuring that all citizens have the opportunity to thrive in the country’s evolving landscape.

– Adrita Quabili
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

, ,

Maternal Health in Bangladesh

Maternal Health in BangladeshMaternal health in Bangladesh faces significant challenges. According to Every Mother Counts, it is estimated that there are 245 maternal deaths per every 100,000 live births. Annually, approximately 7,660 Bangladeshi women die from preventable pregnancy and childbirth-related causes.

Causes of Maternal Mortality in Bangladesh

Maternal mortality ranks as the third leading cause of death for women aged 15 to 49 in Bangladesh, where most of these deaths are preventable through high-quality prenatal care and skilled attendance during labor and delivery. Poor health care facilities and limited access to them indirectly contribute to maternal mortality in the country. The two primary direct causes are obstetric hemorrhage, accounting for nearly one-third of maternal deaths and eclampsia, responsible for 23% of maternal deaths.

The State of Maternal Health Care in Bangladesh

Home births dominate in Bangladesh, with 71% occurring at home, yet only 4% receive attention from trained birth attendants. The country’s health worker coverage is at a mere 17% of the global threshold, highlighting a critical shortage of skilled birth attendants, especially in rural areas. For instance, in Cox’s Bazar, a rural area with one of Bangladesh’s highest maternal mortality rates, 90% of women give birth at home without trained attendants or emergency care access due to the region’s health care facility scarcity.

Further analysis of maternal health in Bangladesh reveals that 38% of maternal deaths occur on the day of delivery and 6% occur one day after. Additionally, 19% of these deaths happen at home, another 19% occur while en route to health care facilities, 49% occur in public health care facilities and 13% in private ones. Notably, about 80% of women who give birth in public facilities also die in these settings, underscoring the challenges within Bangladesh’s public health care system.

Efforts of CARE International and Other NGOs

CARE International, an NGO, has launched various programs to enhance maternal health in Bangladesh, including the Joint Action for Nutrition Outcome (JANO). This program educates mothers and pregnant women about health issues, nutrition and precautions during and after pregnancy, reshaping their understanding of the importance of accessing professional health care services.

In addition, the SHOUHARDO III program, another initiative by CARE, has made significant strides in enhancing maternal health in Bangladesh. In 2021, it trained female private community skilled birth attendants to assist pregnant and lactating women in the remote Char and Haor areas of northern Bangladesh. These trained professionals offer safe delivery services, antenatal and postnatal checkups, counseling, and referrals.

Other international organizations are also playing a key role in enhancing maternal health in Bangladesh. Among them, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), through its ‘Solving Referral Challenges for Urban Poor to Access Emergency Obstetric and  Newborn Care’ project, collaborates with 40 maternity centers in Dhaka. The initiative leverages the ‘Ma Jaan’ app, connecting pregnant women in emergencies to the nearest participating hospital. This effort not only aims to bolster maternal health in Bangladesh but also leverages technology to propel the health care sector forward.

Looking Ahead

Efforts by CARE International and other NGOs are paving the way for improved maternal health in Bangladesh, showcasing the potential for significant advancements through education, training and technology. With continued focus and support, these initiatives promise a brighter future for Bangladeshi mothers, reducing preventable maternal deaths and ensuring safer childbirth experiences across the country.

– Olusegun Odejobi

Olusegun is based in Norwich, UK and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

,

The Life You Can Save: Charities in Bangladesh

The Life You Can Save: Charities in BangladeshBangladesh has made significant progress in welfare and poverty reduction since the 2000s. The country’s poverty rate decreased from 13.47% in 2016 to 10.44% in 2022. Additionally, a recent World Bank report from 2016-17 shows that 24.3% of people live below the upper poverty line and 12.9% below the extreme poverty line. However, the country faces natural disasters and limited access to health care and education, presenting significant challenges to its development and welfare improvement efforts. In the face of these hardships, charitable organizations play a crucial role in supporting vulnerable communities amidst these challenges. In an interview about charities in Bangladesh, The Borgen Project spoke with Katie Stanford, Research Director of The Life You Can Save, highlighting its efforts to alleviate poverty, improve health care and empower individuals to build a better future for themselves and their families. 

The Life You Can Save

The Life You Can Save, established in 2013, champions effective charitable giving to combat poverty. This organization rigorously evaluates and endorses high-impact charities, ensuring donors contribute to the most effective causes. To date, it has facilitated more than $100 million in donations. Furthermore, The Life You Can Save supports several charities in Bangladesh, each addressing poverty in diverse and impactful ways. The following are some of the charities:

Fistula Foundation

The Maternal Morbidity Validation Study (MMVS) revealed that in Bangladesh, the adjusted prevalence rate of obstetric fistulas among women aged 15 to 49 is 38 per 100,000. The study revealed that 4,081 women aged 50 to 64 suffer from this condition, totaling 17,457 affected women between ages 15 and 64. This data underscores the significant health challenge obstetric fistula poses to women in Bangladesh. The Fistula Foundation leads in treating obstetric fistula worldwide. A fistula is a severe birth injury that often leads to incontinence and social ostracization for women. Beyond covering surgery costs, the foundation supports surgeon training, provides facility equipment, engages in grassroots community initiatives and ensures comprehensive post-surgery recovery. Annually, it facilitates more than 10,000 surgeries to repair childbirth injuries, highlighting its significant impact in restoring dignity and health to affected women.

Malaria Consortium

In the late 1990s, Bangladesh reported up to 70,000 laboratory-confirmed malaria cases, 900,000 clinical cases and more than 500 deaths annually, with suspected unreported cases possibly exceeding 250,000 annually. A 2007 survey in the 13 endemic districts revealed a 4% crude prevalence, with Plasmodium falciparum responsible for more than 90% of the cases. The Chittagong Hill Tracts showed the highest infection rates. This highlights the significant public health challenge malaria poses, necessitating targeted interventions to reduce transmission and fatalities.

The Malaria Consortium provides initiatives that shield the most vulnerable and impoverished children in Asia and Africa from a variety of fatal illnesses, such as pneumonia and malaria. In addition, the Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC) project is an incredibly economical and scientifically supported method of preventing malaria in children under the age of 5. Moreover, its annual demonstrated impact includes delivering seasonal malaria chemoprevention to 24 million children, significantly more than 20 million in the previous year.

Helen Keller Intl.

Vitamin A deficiency poses a serious health risk to Bangladesh’s children, leading to blindness and increased mortality among those under 6 years of age. Annually, around 30,000 children may become blind from this deficiency, with many dying shortly thereafter. Helen Keller Intl. addresses this through its annual global vitamin A supplementation programs, benefiting 32 million children under the age of 5 each year and supporting 388,000 families with resources to grow and sell vitamin A-rich foods. In addition, this approach significantly improves child health and nutrition, highlighting the need for ongoing nutritional interventions.

Life You Can Save: Charities Research and Evaluation

The Life You Can Save supports several charities in Bangladesh, including the Fred Hollows Foundation, Seva Foundation, Oxfam and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA). The organization ensures aid reaches those most in need in the most effective ways. It rigorously analyzes data to identify the best interventions for various aspects of poverty, focusing on the highest-impact charities. The rigorous research and continuous assessments equips donors with detailed information to enhance their philanthropic impact. Moreover, the process involves evaluating donor interventions based on their evidence, reach, depth and lasting effects while assessing charities by their evidence quality, reporting, track record, cost-effectiveness, transparency, community understanding and commitment to upholding the dignity of its beneficiaries.

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh continues to forge a path toward a brighter future, bolstered by the crucial support of impactful charities and organizations like The Life You Can Save. Above all, the collaborative endeavors of local and international partners signify a beacon of hope for the millions striving for a life free from poverty and disease in Bangladesh.

– AuiCha Conley

AuiCha is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Health and Charity for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

,

Bangladesh’s Health Workers Restore Vision for 2 Million Adults

Bangladesh's Health Workers Restore Vision for 2 Million AdultsBangladesh’s health workers have played a pivotal role in improving community well-being. Community Health Workers (CHWs) have restored clear vision for 2 million adults in less than two decades. Since 2006, the social enterprise VisionSpring, in collaboration with BRAC Bangladesh, has trained 32,000 volunteers. These trained individuals bring primary diagnosis for presbyopia—a common cause of farsightedness in adults—to remote communities.

Presbyopia is an age-related refractive vision error that makes it difficult to focus on subjects at a closer distance and affects income avenues. At the moment, 1.8 billion of the world’s population is affected by the epidemic. An estimated 826 million are close to visual impairment due to the lack of access to affordable vision correction.

Presbyopia in Bangladesh

One in every two adults in Bangladesh loses livelihood opportunities due to presbyopia, yet appropriate eyewear can significantly mitigate this impact. BRAC and VisionSpring have expanded their efforts to conduct vision tests and distribute spectacles across 61 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts through the Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods (RGIL) initiative.

This program has equipped volunteers with the skills to evaluate visual impairments in remote communities, provide affordable reading glasses and make referrals for advanced eye care to ophthalmologists and optometrists. These volunteers receive compensation based on the number of spectacles they distribute.

The Role of Bangladesh’s Health Workers

Moreover, community health workers lie at the heart of primary health care in rural Bangladesh, assisting with family planning, adolescent hygiene, vaccinations and safe antenatal and prenatal care. Health worker’s acceptance within communities fosters participation in the program. Regular visits create a feedback loop that allows for timely adjustments and sustained effectiveness.

Morseda Chowdhury, director of the BRAC Health Nutrition and Population Programme, lauds the contribution of community volunteers to this achievement. He states, “This is a perfect example of an effective public health intervention scalable in a low-resource setting. A multitasking CHW can be utilized to tackle a stubborn problem that impedes the quality of life as well as reduces productivity and thus the economic potential of a country.”

Vision Correction in Addressing Poverty

Vision impairment disproportionately affects poorer economies. In Europe, only 4% of the population experiences presbyopia, but in lower-income countries, up to 94% suffer from poor vision. Studies indicate that presbyopia decreases individuals’ quality of life by 22%. Adults with farsightedness face challenges in performing daily tasks, from winnowing grain and cooking food to maintaining hygiene.

A World Economic Forum survey reported that near-vision impairment affected the earnings of 23% of office workers in Bangladesh. The study also found that workers in Rwanda with poor vision faced termination three times faster than their counterparts. Additionally, 2011 research indicated that inadequate vision correction among the global working population under 50 contributed to an annual productivity loss of $11 billion.

A randomized control trial by VisionSpring, Orbis and Queen’s University Belfast observed a 21.7% increase in productivity among presbyopic tea pickers in India using corrective lenses. The success of the Reading Glasses for Improved Livelihoods (RGIL) program in Bangladesh has paved the way for lower- and middle-income countries to promote the distribution of reading glasses. This neglected yet affordable solution helps restore employment and reduce poverty in the global south.

– Soham Mitra
Photo: Flickr

,

Freedom for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

Rohingya RefugeesSince the ’90s, Bangladesh has hosted Rohingya refugees fleeing persecution in Myanmar in fenced refugee camps, the number of whom has reached almost a million since Myanmar’s crackdown in 2017. Refugees are prohibited from traveling beyond the fences of the camps. They are limited in their access to vital services while also facing the risk of gang violence, kidnapping and extreme hunger.

Kutupalong, located in Ukhia on the vast Cox’s Bazar complex, is one of the largest refugee camps in the world. Built on steep hillsides, the camps are susceptible to flooding and landslides, particularly during monsoon season and the bamboo structures hastily constructed to house Kutupalong’s one million occupants provide little sanctuary. Fires in the camp are also not uncommon.

A Fresh Chance at Freedom

However, as of December 2023, a new hope was presented for the camps’ occupants. After blocking any resettlement of refugees to third countries since 2010, Bangladesh agreed to allow the U.S. to resettle some Rohingya refugees after striking a deal. For the first time in more than a decade, refugees were provided with hope for a way out of the camp that didn’t involve the risk of violence and even death through illegal human trafficking.

Although only 62 refugees have been flown to the U.S. thus far, these figures are set to increase. AK Abdul Momen, Bangladesh’s foreign minister, reportedly wants developed nations to take 100,000 refugees and criticized the stagnant pace of the resettlement process, despite ultimately believing the best solution to support the Rohingya is for them to be repatriated back to Myanmar, where they face persecution.

Juliet Volls Noyce, Assistant Secretary to President Biden, also offered her support, adding that “the U.S. is proud to be able to support resettlement in our country of the very vulnerable Rohingya. This is a priority of President Biden. We are discussing with other governments and with other partners. We will be working together with the international community.”

Speaking to the Guardian, Nurul, among the first refugees afforded a chance at a new life with resettlement to the U.S., spoke glowingly of his newfound freedom. “We have escaped the prison,” he said, adding that “for 31 years, I did not even have “basic rights. All this time, we lived with only primary services – school, food, health. Nothing more than that.”

The Future?

The early success of the resettlement process demonstrates the enormous potential for the Rohingya population of Myanmar to start a new life in the West. However, there is unequivocally a substantial amount of progress to be made before the program can be labeled a success.

AK Abdul Momen highlighted that current progress represents nothing more than “just a drop in the ocean,” as Bangladesh hosts more than 1.1 million refugees. For the program to be labeled successful, resettlements will need to continue on a larger scale and continued support from the U.S. government will be significantly depended upon.

– Ethan Leyden
Photo: Flickr

The Graduation Approach and Poverty Alleviation in Bangladesh

Graduation ApproachBangladesh, a country with more than 170 million people, has long struggled with widespread poverty, limited economic opportunities and vulnerability to natural disasters. However, since the 2000s, Bangladesh has made huge strides in improving welfare and halving poverty rates. For example, the estimated poverty went from 13.47 in 2016 to 10.44 in 2022 (using the international poverty line of $2.15).

The innovative strategies of BRAC’s “Graduation Approach” have been instrumental in uplifting the impoverished and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Built upon the hopes of addressing multidimensional poverty, it has effectively contributed to the sustained alleviation of poverty in Bangladesh.

The Graduation Approach in Bangladesh

The Graduation Approach is a multifaceted intervention designed to empower the ultra-poor by combining asset transfer, skills training, access to financial services and coaching. In Bangladesh, this approach has been implemented through various programs, with one of the most notable initiatives being the Targeting Ultra Poor (TUP) program launched by BRAC. The TUP program has demonstrated the transformative power of the Graduation Approach.

Central to the approach is the concept of asset transfer, which involves providing participants with productive assets, such as livestock, tools or seeds, to kickstart income-generating activities. As agriculture in Bangladesh plays a central role in the economy, asset transfer has enabled participants to establish small businesses. Subsequently, rural areas have reduced poverty between 2010 and 2016, accounting for 90% of the poverty alleviation.

In addition to asset transfer, the Graduation Approach places a strong emphasis on skills development and training. In Bangladesh, this has materialized in the form of tailored training programs that equip participants with the knowledge and expertise needed to effectively manage their businesses or agricultural activities. This training has enabled people living in poverty to make informed decisions and optimize their resources. Such training initiatives have contributed to the long-term success of the Graduation Approach in alleviating poverty. It has been proven that combining large-scale asset transfers and skills training equips the ultra-poor with access to self-employment and increases earnings by 37%.

Access to financial services is another critical facet of this approach. In Bangladesh, the provision of microcredit and savings facilities has empowered participants to invest in their enterprises, build assets and weather financial shocks. Coaching and mentorship are also integral components of the Graduation Approach. For instance, 11,864 workers have received financial services and financial literary education across 30 factories in Savar, Tongi and Gazipur. This presence of coaches and mentors has not only offered practical assistance but has also empowered participants with the confidence to be self-sufficient.

The Positive Impact 

The poverty progress in Bangladesh has been striking, with the Ultra-Poor Graduation program reaching more than nine million people in two million households and helping 95% of participants escape extreme poverty. This level of success has allowed the BRAC Ultra-Poor initiative to be implemented in 13 other countries, including Ethiopia, Honduras and Pakistan. Such implementation has occurred through technical assistance to governments and NGO partners. By showcasing how national approaches by governments can drive progress in poverty reduction, the graduation approach has demonstrated a ripple effect.

One of the key strengths of the Graduation Approach is its potential for scalability and sustainability. The approach fosters self-reliance by equipping participants with the tools and knowledge to manage their livelihoods. In influencing policy change to support the uptake of the Graduation Approach, it is believed that up to 21 million people can escape poverty by 2026. The program’s encouraging success in Bangladesh paves the way for similar development worldwide.

– Chloe Zyko
Photo: Flickr

,

Digital Wages in Bangladesh are Empowering its Female Workforce

Digital Wages in BangladeshAcross the developing world, women continue to make up large proportions of key manufacturing industries. For instance, they comprise 68% of the garment workforce and 45% of the textile industry. Wages in these industries are generally paid in cash, making it difficult for workers to save for the long term, which is one way to escape poverty. Here is some information about digital wages in Bangladesh. 

The Situation

At the same time, historic gender roles mean women often do not directly benefit from the results of their work. In Bangladesh, where female textile factories dominate, women are expected to turn their wages over to their husbands or fathers. There are even accounts of long lines of men waiting outside the factories on payday, ready for this handover.

This wage settlement means female workers are denied proper control over their finances. For those women already living in poverty, this leaves them trapped. Despite undertaking paid employment, they cannot access the financial resources required to escape their current position. While this is a complex problem, some simple solutions can go a long way to removing the barriers women face. BSR’s HERProject has looked to do exactly that. HERProject has supported the growing trend of introducing digital wages for factory workers in Bangladesh. It helps teach employees how to use digital banking systems to ensure successful implementation.

The Benefits of Digital Wages in Bangladesh

Digital wages in Bangladesh have transformed women’s lives in the key areas where they were previously disempowered. Now, it is easier for workers to plan and save. They only withdraw the money they need to spend, while the rest is stored securely in a bank account. 

World Bank researchers found that digital banking increases the likelihood of workers saving money by 25%. At the same time, women have more control over their money. Instead of receiving pay in person, their wages are transferred directly to an account that belongs to them. This prevents husbands or fathers immediately confiscating women’s wages.

One can see these benefits in the popularity of digital wages in Bangladesh. According to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, pollsters found that after an H&M factory adopted digital wages, the number of workers who preferred the system jumped from 4% to 81%. A crucial part of the message of HERProject is the benefits factories themselves will stand to make from schemes such as digital wages. According to the organization, empowered women become agents of change, making businesses “more ethical and more productive.”

The Formation of RISE

On International Women’s Day 2023, HERProject joined Gap Inc. PACE, CARE International and Better Work (all organizations fighting for gender equality in supply chains) to form RISE. This new organization, standing for ‘Reimagining Industry to Support Equality,’ will look to fight for gender equality on an even larger scale. Its founders already support more than five million workers in over 20 countries. By sharing their resources, they can bring transformative ideas like HERProject’s digital wages to more of the developing world. The success of digital wages in Bangladesh is one example of how technology can be applied in the developing world to give workers greater control over their finances and the means to escape poverty. Its continued application will help reshape industries across developing countries for decades. 

– Jack Arrowsmith
Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Addressing Child Labor in Bangladesh

Child Labor in BangladeshChild labor is defined as any work that exceeds the minimum number of hours for a child. In Bangladesh, 72.5% of child workers are classified as child laborers. Unfortunately, child labor has served as one of the only ways for poverty-ridden families to improve their quality of life. Child labor in Bangladesh remains prevalent and continues to harm children with injuries and low pay. 

Reasons

The leading cause of Bangladesh’s high child labor rate is poverty. In a study by Sylhet Agricultural University, poverty ranked as the number one cause of child labor. A child may be sent to factories to earn money for their parents and siblings. One child worker, Nuri, explained the pressure of her work, “I cannot stop working for a second, I get BDT 50 (57 US cents) for every sack of pebbles I produce. I can barely make two sacks a day. How do you expect me to eat?”

One can attribute they way children find work so easily to employers wanting to hire children instead of adults. Employers believe children are more effective workers, and children do not have to receive as much pay as adults, with their salary typically being around $2. The laborers know they can abuse the obedience and fear they instill in children, meaning they do not need to worry about high pay. Even if adults were wanted, this group has a high unemployment rate among this group due to urban migration. 

Many adults seek jobs that are more accommodating of their skills, leaving positions open and leading to a labor shortage in rural areas, with desperate children hoping to earn money being the only ones willing to take the position.

Scale

More than 2 million children from the ages of 5–17 are a part of child labor in Bangladesh. Approximately 47.5% of children had to seek work despite having two individuals in their household working paid jobs. Many children cannot receive an education because they must earn money to feed their families. About 32.5% of child laborers do not attend school and spend their days working. This can harm the future lives of families, as children who are pulled out of school never have the chance to receive proper education and perpetuate the cycle of poverty. Without an education, they often struggle to find a job that pays enough, forcing them to send their children to grueling workplaces to earn additional money for the family. The Sylhet Agricultural University found poor education in parents to cause child labor, ranking fourth among the causes.

Hazards

Several dangers come with child labor in Bangladesh. The most common are dangerous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, hydrogen sulfide and sulphuric acid. These chemicals are found in the materials used for leather and clothing and can shorten the lifespan of child workers. Other physical side effects can include musculoskeletal pain among child laborers, a result of severe physical burden. Nearly 60.14% of children in child labor have reported facing hazardous working conditions. 

Not many child laborers even get assistance in their recovery if injured, with 75% of children lacking medical attention at their jobs. These concerns over physical safety do not include the verbal abuse that comes with the jobs, as employers often scold children for being unable to keep up with their demands.

Industries

Agriculture is an industry that heavily relies on child labor, with a reported 1.08 million child laborers. With many people depending on agriculture, employers depend on workers to fill that need. Since agriculture takes place in rural areas, where children are looking for employment, it has led to many child laborers. 

The second most prominent industry for child labor is leather. This is an unregulated industry, as the places of operations are small and often hidden. Children are essential to these operations, with 96% of the process for producing leather in Bangladesh involving child laborers. The businesses ignore the abuse of the children and instead focus on the money, as the leather industry alone made up 3.5% of Bangladesh’s global exports. Given the large amount of money it produces, industries will always see child labor as essential. 

The Future

Several efforts have emerged to stop child labor in Bangladesh. One major attempt was the Minimum Age Convention which the Government of Bangladesh ratified to increase the threshold for the age at which a child can begin work. This is just one of the many steps the country is taking to eradicate child labor by 2025, a goal cited as a matter of national policy. 

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has been working with the Bangladesh government since 1994 to spread awareness on the issue and ensure laws are up to national standards. The ILO pushed for policies such as not allowing children under 14 to face harsh working conditions and has also promised to eradicate child labor in Bangladesh altogether. With efforts like this, there may be hope for improving the lives of millions of children who deserve better.

– Uzair Khan
Photo: Flickr

How Microfinance in Bangladesh Helps Fight Poverty

Microfinance in BangladeshWith a population of almost 170 million people, Bangladesh is often overlooked when thinking of the most populous nations in the world. Over the past decade, massive urbanization has occurred across the country, expediting poverty reduction in rural areas, according to the World Bank. Overall, the World Bank states that 39.6 million citizens are below the national poverty line as of 2016. 

This number, although high, has been gradually decreasing in both rural and urban areas for different reasons. Urbanization has led to technological advancement in rural regions that allows for improvements in agricultural development, rapidly increasing economic output and decreasing poverty in these regions. In fact, rural poverty reduction accounts for 90% of all poverty reduction in Bangladesh, according to the World Bank. On the other hand, urban areas relied on manufacturing welfare gains. Low job creation in this industry has stunted the reduction of poverty in urban areas. 

Bridging this unequal reduction, unique techniques of microfinancing in Bangladesh have become a surprising strategy to fight poverty. 

What are Microfinance Institutions?

Microfinancing is a form of ethical loan for low-income citizens of a country. These loans are simple to repay and are intended to stimulate economic innovation and growth or help sustain a low-income household. 

Providing assistance in rural Bangladesh, these microfinance loans are distributed by many national and specialized banks, NGOs and government agencies. This form of financing is available from many institutions but has been collectivized and streamlined most effectively by 10 microfinance institutions (MFIs) and the Grameen Bank. These total 87% of all microfinance providers. Nobel Peace Prize winner and founder of Grameen Bank, Dr. Mohammad Yunus, has led his foundation in financing almost 9 million borrowers, with 97% being women.

Microfinancing generally funds six categories: 

  • Small-scale self-employment
  • Enterprises
  • Extreme-poverty prevention
  • Agriculture
  • Seasonal loans
  • Natural disasters

All of these target various forms of poverty in Bangladesh and are reflective of poverty across the world. By financing and targeting these areas, anti-poverty efforts can receive the funding needed to stabilize lower-income households and national economic growth. 

How MFIs Fight Poverty in Bangladesh

These institutions drastically help those in rural Bangladesh. By opening access to financial credit assistance for lower classes in the country, economic stimulation helps bring down regional poverty. 

According to the International Food Policy Research Institute, “Bangladesh’s MFIs cover some 32 million members and give out more than $7.2 billion annually.” Furthermore, these institutions have eliminated 10% of poverty in rural regions, collectively eliminating poverty for 2.5 million citizens.

Beyond simple credit, these institutions need to develop marketing techniques and skills for those receiving aid. A large criticism of MFIs is their potential lack of long-term stability and effectiveness. With the addition of skill education, impoverished populations will receive aid and learn to grow it. 

Another criticism is the limited accessibility caused by high interest rates. As of 2011, Bangladesh’s Microcredit Regulatory Authority (MRA) limited MFI interest rates to 27%. Nonetheless, this should and could be capped lower to increase accessibility for Bangladeshi families. 

With the continued expansion of MFIs in Bangladesh, companies are progressing, advancing and consolidating into more organized institutions that better serve the general public. 

The Unique Effect of MFIs on Women

Microcredit institutions have specific positive externalities for women. According to the Global Gender Gap Index of 2020, Bangladesh’s gender disparity was significantly higher than any other South Asian country, ranking 50th out of 144 countries worldwide. Once again, it is the non-economic policies of MFIs that benefit women the most. Currently, only 36% of working-age women are part of the nation’s labor force. 

The education and financial literacy provided by these institutions provide women more opportunities to become financially independent and break down the stigma against women in the workforce. This social assistance adds value to the benefits of microfinance in Bangladesh. 

– Sahib Singh
Photo: Unsplash

,

Poverty in Bangladesh and Economic Growth

Poverty in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a small country in South Asia bordered by India and Myanmar. With a population of 161 million, the country had a poverty rate of 21.8% in 2018. Since its inception in 1971, Bangladesh has faced a myriad of issues. In 1971, the annual GDP was -14%, the country was plagued by famine and floods and there were high rates of political instability. In recent years, the government has been actively working to reduce poverty in Bangladesh by addressing concerns across a variety of sectors. According to the Asian Development Bank, Bangladesh currently has the fastest growing economy in the region.

Involvement of NGOs

Several NGOs have been involved in Bangladesh’s economic success. These NGOs include Practical Action Bangladesh (PAB) and Proshika. These two NGOs have worked to implement policies that have allowed Bangladesh to better support its working population, namely by focusing on entrepreneurship.

Proshika is a Bangladesh-based NGO concerned with skills training and employee management. The NGO is responsible for starting the Small Economic Enterprise Development (SEED) program, which was created to help impoverished people and reduce poverty in Bangladesh. This program provides microloans, employee training, technology help, business consultation and more.

PAB has worked on a similar initiative in the form of the Markets and Livelihoods Programme (MLP), which provides training, technology help and more. These programs were studied in relation to the smith communities (blacksmiths, goldsmiths, etc.) in Bangladesh. The smith communities are some of the most impoverished in the country. In a 2015 paper published by Rezaul Islam at the University of Dhaka, Islam found that these programs were essential to allow these communities to prosper and create financial growth by encouraging entrepreneurship.

Diversifying Exports

Bangladesh has emerged in recent years as a major export provider for a variety of goods. In 2018, Bangladesh’s exports increased by 4.5%, increasing an additional 10.1% in 2019. Bangladesh is a significant producer of rice, jute, mangoes, vegetables and inland fish. Recently, Bangladesh has also been exporting technology, exporting four ships to India and 12 robots to South Korea.

Investing in Education

Bangladesh has also taken great strides to invest in the education of its young workforce. Every year, Bangladesh is seeing 500,000 students graduate from college, of which 65,000 receive IT training. This has transitioned Bangladesh’s economy from rural-based agriculture to a more urban and modern economy.

Bangladesh has also been working hard to address the gender disparity gaps in education. In 2015, Bangladesh was one of a handful of countries that managed to achieve an equal amount of school enrollment across genders and had more girls than boys enrolled in secondary education.

Developing the IT Sector

Bangladesh has developed the information technology (IT) sector of its economy, which now totals to a little more than 50% of the country’s GDP. The country has established around 8,000 digital centers across the nation and scaled up internet and phone coverage.

Annually, Bangladesh’s technology products exports total about $1 billion. The government hopes to increase this number to 5 billion USD by the end of 2021. The country also boasts about 600,000 IT freelancers.

Increases in Foreign Investment

All of Bangladesh’s economic growth has yielded another benefit: increased foreign investment. Investors from around the world have chosen to invest heavily in Bangladesh’s economy, demonstrating the strong growth potential of Bangladesh. In 2019, foreign investment increased by 42.9%. HSBC bank has predicted that Bangladesh can achieve a spot in the top 30 economies of the world by 2030.

Bangladesh demonstrates how growing the economy can help fight poverty. Increases in job opportunities, employee training, education and more benefit the impoverished in the country. Moving forward, it is essential that efforts to reduce poverty in Bangladesh continue.

– Anushka Somani
Photo: Flickr