Fisherwomen's Activities in Bangladesh : A Participatory Approach to Development

REPORTS - BOBP/REP/24

Fisherwomen's Activities in Bangladesh : A Participatory Approach to Development



by

Patchanee Natpracha
Sociologist Bay of Bengal Programme

Executing Agency: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS

Funding Agency : SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Table of Contents

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PREFACE

This paper describes and discusses a pilot project to improve the living standards of fisherwomen from two villages near Chittagong, Bangladesh. The project tried out the ‘participatory approach’: groups of fisherwomen led by ‘link workers’ took active part in the project at all stages: planning, identification of activities, implementation. The paper highlights the project methodology, achievements and failures, problems, and lessons for the future.

Under the project, several activities to generate income-such as net-making, fish culture, poultry and goat rearing-were organized. Activities to improve the nutritional status of fisherfolk were taken up. Loans were distributed to project members for investment in income-generating activities. A savings scheme was launched.

Carried out from 1981 to 1985, the project was implemented by the small-scale fisheries project of the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) in cooperation with the marine fisheries department of Bangladesh. It was coordinated by a BOBP sociologist. Two field workers engaged by BOBP and two officials of the marine fisheries department worked with the fisherwomen groups. BOBP’s role in the project was terminated in 1985, and a voluntary agency, Nijera Kori, took over this role.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

REPORTS - BOBP/REP/24pdf

SUMMARY

1. INTRODUCTION

2. BACKGROUND

3. THE APPROACH

3.1 BASIC BELIEFS/ASSUMPTIONS
3.2 OBJECTIVES

4. PROJECT ACTIVITIES

4.1 INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES

4.1.1 NET MAKING
4.1.2 GOAT RAISING
4.1.3 CHICKEN AND DUCK RAISING
4.1.4 FISH MARKETING AND FISH DRYING
4.1.5 FISH CULTURE AND TREE PLANTING
4.1.6 SAVINGS FROM INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES
4.1.7 CREDIT

PROJECT ACTIVITIES IN PICTURES

4.2 HEALTH IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES

4.2.1 PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE
4.2.2 NUTRITIONAL SURVEY AND TRAINING ON SUPPLEMENTARY AND WEANING FOOD

4.3 COMMUNITY HALL
4.4 WORKING WITH FISHERMEN

5 .ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT

5.1 UTILIZATION OF LOCAL EXPERTISE
5.2 COST-EFFECTIVENESS
5.3 TRANSFER OF THE PILOT PROJECT
5.4 BOBP INPUTS
5.5 GOVERNMENT INPUTS

6 .DISCUSSION

6.1 PROJECT APPROACH
6.2 GROUP FORMATION AMONG FISHERWOMEN
6.3 INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES
6.4 LOANS AND THEIR REPAYMENT
6.5 SAVINGS
6.6 HEALTH IMPROVEMENTS
6.7 WORKING WITH FISHERMEN
6.8 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
6.9 TIME FRAME

7. REPLICABILITY

TABLES :

1. FISHERWOMEN ACTIVITIES IN JULDIA-SHAMIPUR AND NORTH JULDIA (AS OF MAY 1985)
2. LOANS DISBURSED AND REPAYED FOR INCOME-GENERATING ACTIVITIES
3. REPAYMENT PATTERN BY ACTIVITIES FINANCED

APPENDICES

1. CALENDAR OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES: DECEMBER 1980-AUGUST 1985
2. LOAN REPAYMENTS BY ACTIVITY BY PROJECT MEMBERS
3. TARGET GROUP’S VIEWS ON NUTRITION TRAINING
4 . RECIPES AND COSTS FOR SUPPLEMENTARY AND WEANING FOOD

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