organized by bangladesh institute of social research...

Organized by

Bangladesh Institute of Social Research (BISR) Trust

Bangladesh Institute of Social Research (BISR) Trust 2

Contents At A Glance

Contents Page No.

Session I: Poverty, Gender and Public Health Economic Benefit of Coastal Health Coverage for Climate Induced Diseases of the Coastal People in the Southwest Coastal Region of Bangladesh by Md. Hafiz Iqbal, Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Government Edward College

3

State, NGOs and the Urban Poor: A Study on Slum Dwellers in Dhaka City by Syeda Abida Farheen, MSS, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka.

4

The Glass Ceiling Approach Threats the Gender Equality in Bangladesh: Some Empirical Suggestions toward SDGs by Khan Habiba Mustarin, Lecturer, Southern University Bangladesh.

5

Session II: Climate Change and DRR Tidal River Management by Jahin Shams Sakkhar, Climate Change Monitoring Officer, Uttaran

6

River Bank Erosion, Flood, Poverty and Livelihoods: Adaptation Practices by the Communities of Jamuna River Basin Area of Bangladesh. by Md. Mizanur Rahman Mizan, Social and Institutional Expert, National Land Zoning Project, Ministry of Land.

7

State of River Bank Erosion Preparedness and Mitigation Measures at Chandpur Town by Saiful Islam Mozumder, M.phil Student (2014-2015) Department of Geography & Environment. University of Dhaka

8

Session III: Governance Surveillance - A New Social Phenomenon in Bangladesh: Relief or Conflict? by Marjan Huque, Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work, The People’s University of Bangladesh

9

Social Accountability Practice for Good Governance in Dakshin Surma by Touhidul Hoque Chowdhury, Assistant Director, Institute of Development Affairs

(IDEA)

10

Safe Migration and Its Challenges: A Situational Analysis of Bangladesh by Moumita Paul, Research Associate, Bangladesh Institute of Social Research Trust

11

Session IV: Media and Communication An Experience of the USAID/Agro-Inputs Project in Bangladesh: Project Communications Raises Awareness on Quality Agro-inputs by Arpona Ghosh, Communications Director, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture

12

Online Social Research for Social Media: A Tale of Two Studies by Sadril Shajahan, Freelance Researcher.

13


Economic Benefit of Coastal Health Coverage for Climate Induced Diseases

of the Coastal People in the Southwest Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Md. Hafiz Iqbal

Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Government Edward College.

Email: [email protected]; Phone: +8801717278232, +8801776196953.

ABSTRACT

Climate change and its aftermath create negative impacts on food security, drinking water,

biodiversity, livelihood, agriculture, fisheries, forestry, ecology, wetland and human habitant.

Devastation of climate change and its negative impacts on public health are also a common

phenomenon of any coastal region and southwest coastal region of Bangladesh is not free

from such circumstances. An effective health measure is a pre-requisite for minimizing the

losses of lives and also mitigates the health sufferings from devastating effects of climate

change induced natural disaster. Coastal Health Coverage plays a vital role to tackle health

problem with full spectrum of services of good quality……according to need and at an

affordable cost to coastal people. In order to formulate cost effective, affordable and relevant

coastal health coverage policy of Bangladesh, this study identified some relevant attributes

e.g., health coverage, emergency ambulance and telemedicine for its choice experiment.

Choice experiment is depends upon and support the preference of the coastal people.

Multinomial and random parameter logic models are applied for estimation of the attributes.

All the attributes included in the econometric model are significant that affecting the

probability of choosing an alternative scenario. The welfare changes from quality or quantity

of coastal health coverage service could be given by the measure of compensating surplus.

The findings of this study will be helpful for the similar coastal region that has frequently

faces climate induced health problems to its coastal inhabitants. It is expected that the

findings of this study able to enhance Sustainable Development Goal.

Keywords: Coastal health coverage, Choice experiment, Willingness to pay, Coastal region,

Bangladesh

Session I: Poverty, Gender and Public Health

mailto:[email protected]


State, NGOs and the Urban Poor: A Study on Slum Dwellers in Dhaka City

Syeda Abida Farheen

MSS, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka.

Phone: +8801915859603, +8801980404767

ABSTRACT

Dhaka city has more than 4500 slums and informal squatter settlements within its territory

accommodating more than 35 percent of its population. A large number of migrant people

create the adverse result of over urbanization, extreme poverty and inequality in this city and

most of them are lower class poor people.

It is in the context, the study explores the role of state and NGOs to the urban poor who live

in the slum areas of Dhaka city. It has undertaken to determine the particular role of State and

NGOs in two slums namely Rayer bazar slum and Korail slum in Dhaka city and to identify

the steps of state and NGOs for poverty reduction and service delivery to urban poor. The

sociological theory of neo-liberalism by David Harvey, theory of neoliberal governance by

Loic Wacquant and the theory of deep democracy by Arjun Appadurai have been used as

theoretical frameworks of the study. Data have been collected by following mixed methods

where both quantitative and qualitative techniques are combined. The survey data have been

supplemented by case studies and KII.

The study reveals that the majority of the slum dwellers have limited access to urban services

.However, the study argues that the process of urbanization of Dhaka is linked to increasing

poverty as millions of poor people living in urban slums and they are still excluded from

basic amenities of life and policies and planning undertaken by both government and non-

government agencies do not significantly change their lives.


The Glass Ceiling Approach Threats the Gender Equality in Bangladesh:

Some Empirical Suggestions toward SDGs

Khan Habiba Mustarin

Lecturer, Southern University Bangladesh.

Email: [email protected]; Phone: +8801675270002.

ABSTRACT

The militant feminists exert ever-increasing influence in their workplace either public or

corporate world despite their numbers being miniscule. It is the crying need to promote the

gender equality at the workplace. The occupations and industries, men and women work

together wherein, have also become more similar, but the glass ceiling delusion toward the

women haunts and draws the margin of discrimination that influences their relative salary.

The object of this paper is to show the present Bangladeshi regional working environment

where such glass ceiling approach how threats the existence of women in workplace with

special reference to Chittagong commercial area and to find out the possible ways and means

are the motto of this paper. This paper focused on the constitutional frameworks and essence

of the SDGs to show how to achieve SDGs through the constitutional implementation. To

serve the objects thereof, we have experienced what are the reasons that instigate the glass

ceiling and other discriminations by conducting some focused group interviews and applying

questioner survey. It is inevitable to focus on the family and social protraction grown out of

the glass ceiling. It is ensuing to put light on the effect of the GDP and GNP, in furtherance,

international trade and investment results out from losing well equipped women employee

only for being women. Albeit they have advanced in business and management, they

continue to be shut out of the higher level economic decision-making process despite the last

decade of activism to smash the “glass ceiling”.

Keywords: Glass Ceiling, Gender Discrimination, Sustainable development.


Tidal River Management

Jahin Shams Sakkhar

Climate Change Monitoring Officer, Uttaran.


ABSTRACT

The main aim of paper is to highlight that how a century old technique of sediment management ,

formally known as Tidal River Management or TRM, can be used to increase the navigability of the

river and raise up flood plains to mitigate water logging crisis of the south west coastal Bangladesh.

TRM is a sustainable technique which if properly implemented throughout the south west coastal

region can be used to elevate the lands above sea level and increase the navigability of the rivers

which would allow the rivers to hold more water. The paper describes the historical context of the

area, the causes of water logging and also the full TRM process and its impacts. The paper details out,

cultural indigenous practice of the local people and how this can be more sustainable against heavy

hardware engineering solutions. The local people‟s long movement against hardcore engineering

solutions and Uttaran‟s struggle along with the local people are highlighted through the paper. The

paper draws in examples of implementation of TRM along the Hari river basin areas and its impacts.

It also discusses, the potential impact from climate change induced sea level rise which can be

reduced through implementation of TRM. Government interventions against water logging crisis and

their flaws are pointed out through the paper.

Session II: Climate Change and DRR



River Bank Erosion, Flood, Poverty and Livelihoods: Adaptation Practices

by the Communities of Jamuna River Basin Area of Bangladesh.

Md. Mizanur Rahman Mizan

Social and Institutional Expert, National Land Zoning Project, Ministry of Land.


ABSTRACT

River bank erosion and flood together intensify the Climate Change impact of in rural areas

of Jamuna and Bharmaputra river basin community of Bangladesh. Consequently, mass

migration, family breaks up, larceny, robbery, advance labour selling, and unemployment are

occurring in the affected community. It has been affected adversely on the different source of

income associated with agriculture, fisheries, livestock, small enterprise, agro-processing.

Population displacement and migration due to river erosion and flood, scarcity of drinking

water, poo health-hygiene becomes a common scenario. The study was conducted in the most

island and attached char of the Jamuna River in the Bhuapur upazila of Tangail districts,

namely Gasbara and Arjuna Unions. This study has been identified and review the adaptation

practices of the Gabsara and Arjuna char dwellers. It also focuses to assess their economic

condition in relation to livelihood practices. The char people use their indigenous knowledge

to adapt to this adverse situation. Government line agency and Local people‟s participation

have been ensured in the research process through the formal interview, focus Group

Discussion, Informal Interview, transact walk, physical visit, and so on. Secndary data has

been reviewed and used in this study from different reliable sources. Finally, this study has

recommended some suggestions for the policy planners and implementers to designing

development program for the char areas of Bangladesh. Importance has been given to the

Coordination and collaboration among the Government, none-Government agencies, and

different stakeholder in order to cope with the devastating situation of the riverbank erosion

and flood.

Keywords: Riverbank Erosion, Food, Poverty, Climate Change and Adaptation Practice


State of River Bank Erosion Preparedness and Mitigation Measures at

Chandpur Town

Saiful Islam Mozumder

M.phil Student (2014-2015) Department of Geography & Environment. University of Dhaka.

Phone: +8801515653940

ABSTRACT

Environmental impacts of the riverbank erosion at chandpur town using analysis of local

people and administrations opinion.The data used in the study are cross sectional and are

taken from the survey conducted in June 2015, about 22 years after completion of different

riverbank erosion embankment at chandpur town. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of

direct and indirect indicators were used to analyze the effects of the riverbank erosion on

livelihood, socioeconomic conditions, income and also migration. The inferences drawn

acknowledge the fact that many factors besides the embankment operate on these indicators

and that isolating the effects of the riverbank erosion and embankment is difficult.

Peoples facing with regular RBE and also living there for their parent‟s land, for their

livelihood needs, for safe residence due to protection by blocking dumping and due to safe

distance from RBE. It was also focused that respondents were working in safe distance

because of there was big distance from RBE present living place and area was protected by

embankment.The results of this analysis indicate that the peoples of chandpur town is

associated with negative impacts of RBE and wants permanent solution from this continuous

riverbank erosion to save chandpur town, which connects both Padma and Meghan two big

river of the country. So a permanent mitigation measures including all govt. and non govt.

Organizations participation in decision making including regular digging, proper dressing,

damping block and also embankment is needed to protect chandpur town from this recurrent

riverbank erosion.


Surveillance - A New Social Phenomenon in Bangladesh: Relief or Conflict?

Marjan Huque

Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Social Work, The People’s University of

Bangladesh

Email: [email protected]; Mobile: +8801724283522

ABSTRACT

This paper critically examines the modern surveillance phenomenon that is shaping how

stateswatch and control their citizens. It looks at the surveillance phenomena through Michael

Foucault‟s concept of „Panoptic Technologies of Social Control‟ which accounts for how

surveillance as an idea defines how we live. For this study, interpretive qualitative research

approach is used. The primary data have been collected from interviews. A semi-structured

indepth interview method is used in this study. Besides, the secondary data are gathered from

published and unpublished research reports, journals, books, records and documents of

relevant agencies, newspaper articles and op-eds. With a special focus on the existing

circumstances prevailing in Bangladesh, the paper shows that we live in a surveillance

society which removes social tensions and conflicts with privacy.

Session III: Governance



Social Accountability Practice for Good Governance in Dakshin Surma

Touhidul Hoque Chowdhury

Assistant Director, Institute of Development Affairs (IDEA)

Email: www.idea.org.bd

ABSTRACT

Bangladesh is extremely densely populated and a relatively new democracy. In the absence of

transparency and public accountability most of local government offices are inaccessible to

the poor and powerless. Some of the causes include inefficiency, system failure, inadequate

mobilization of vision and the absence of participation by local people. People should

participate in the governance system in order to ensure that the services provided by the

government system are responsive to the demands and needs of citizens. Bottom-up pressure

to the authorities and people‟s movement can change the existing inertia situation in power

relations.

True commitment to the concept of local governance amongst civil servants and politicians is

mixed, but in recent years, clear progress has been made. The tiered system of local (Union

Parishad-UP and UpazilaParishad-UZP), district (ZilaParishad-ZP) and national political and

administrative structures supported by appropriate legislation: the Local Government (UP)

Act (2009), which obliges Union Parishads to follow descendent accountability processes.

A continuing people‟s conscientization and mobilization process can be initiated through

education, dialogue and consensus building to bring about change. People‟s active

participation prevents the top-down approach of government project and services. The social

accountability techniques are appropriate for ensuring people‟s participation and to establish

a sensible local government. From this background being supported by ManusherJonno

Foundation, Institute of Development Affairs (IDEA) initiated Social Engagement for

Budgetary Accountability (SEBA) Project in 09 Union Parishad under DakshinSurmaUpazila

of Sylhet district. This paper explains how this project has created an enabling environment

for participatory budgeting in local government level engaging community people.

Key Words: Local Government, Union Parishad, Social Accountability, Community, Score Card.


Safe Migration and its Challenges: A Situational Analysis of Bangladesh

Moumita Paul

Research Associate, Bangladesh Institute of Social Research Trust

Cell: 01735881988. E-mail: [email protected].

ABSTRACT

The research examines the migration process, safe migration and human trafficking nexus, role

of the government of both the countries of origin and destination, recruiting agencies and

employers, safety security, welfare of migrant workers, challenges of safe migration and finally

recommends some effective remedial measures to overcome the problem in Teknaf Upazila of

Cox’s Bazar District in Bangladesh. Both qualitative and quantitative research approach were

used to find out the research objectives. Did review of secondary data and key informant

interview to collect data. Necessary data were collected from 100 samples using semi-

structured questionnaire at household level.

The research findings revealed that mostly people of the age group of 21-30 years migrated

using basically private and irregular process in terms of successful and unsuccessful migration

respectively. They mainly went to six countries named KSA, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore, UAE and

Oman. Two major reasons were there behind their migration: push factors including economic

depression, poverty and ultra poverty, etc. and pull factors including employment privileges,

better livelihood opportunities, etc. Some (24%) of the successful migrant workers and 66%

unsuccessful workers faced impediments in their workplace and during travelling respectively.

Most successful migrants would like to migrate because they were in vacation and maximum

(92%) unsuccessful migrants would like to re-migrate. Finally migration played asignificant role

in socio-economic development of Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar District. However, in terms of

getting help from the government the study also revealed that 54% successful migrants got

services whereas 94.9% unsuccessful migrants did not get.

The study found most common challenges of migration were surplus manpower, migration

without visa, poor monitoring and controlling of the relevant authority, high cost of process, etc.

Finally, the study suggested modifying and updating legal instruments, digitalization of

recruitment process, providing contact address to the manpower, etc. for safe migration.

Key Words: Migration, Human Trafficking, Recruiting Agency, Role of Government, Safety of

Migrant Workers.



An Experience of the USAID/Agro-Inputs Project in Bangladesh: Project

Communications Raises Awareness on Quality Agro-inputs

Arpona Ghosh

Communications Director, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture.

Email: [email protected]; www.aipbd.org; Phone: +8801730356640

ABSTRACT

In most of the cases, farmers of the 20 southwestern districts,an area marked as the Feed the

Future Zone (FTF), under the U.S. Government‟s global hunger and food security

initiativeare not aware of quality inputs and their proper uses i.e. right time, right quantity and

the right method for producing higher yield like other part of the country. It was also found

that the agro-inputs (seed, fertilizer and crop protection products/pesticides) retailers had not

had formal training on quality agro-inputs, business management, and ethics. Therefore, they

did not consider their business a “service” to farmers. They were not aware of the importance

of applying best practices or standards within their shops.

To improve the supply of safe, high-quality agricultural inputs and advisory services

available to farmers, the Agro-Inputs Project (AIP) in Bangladesh, supported by the United

States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by CNFA, launched

a“Did You Know?” or “Apni Janen Ki?” multi-media campaign focused on improving

knowledge and practices of agro-input retailers, farmers, and other relevant stakeholders. The

campaign generates greater recognition of quality in terms of Government of Bangladesh‟s

statutes and conventional wisdom by promoting messages aligned with regional agricultural

calendars primarily among 3,000 members of the Agro-Inputs Retailers‟ Network (AIRN), a

network developed by the project and 10 lakhs (1 million farmers).

In order to strengthen the retailers‟ ability to serve farmer customers, AIP‟s multimedia

communications campaign focuses on the key objectives of the project while taking into

consideration, social behavior, education levels, and media choice of the primary audience

(agro-inputs retailers and farmers). This campaign uses easy pictorial print materials, short

message services (SMS) through mobile phone, Public Service Announcements (PSAs),

interpersonal or group communications, shop signs, quiz competitions along with social

media. To foster results in terms of broader area coverage and acceptance, the messages and

materials of the campaign are co-branded with Agriculture Information Service (AIS),

Ministry of Agriculture. The campaign have been running for one year has played a crucial

role in raising awareness among retailers and farmers.

Session IV: Media and Communication


http://www.aipbd.org/


Online Social Research for Social Media: A Tale of Two Studies

Sadril Shajahan

Freelance Researcher.

Email: [email protected]; Mobile: +8801677154468

Online social research is a version of social science research methodology for dealing with

the data of digital world in Internet. Social media platforms such as blog, Facebook, You

Tube, Twitter have become common inquiry sites of online social research as research

interests have grown to analyse the impact of social media in wider social, political and

cultural context. This paper is based on the methodological aspects of online social research

from the comparative discussion of two studies. Both studies are grounded in the theoretical

terrace of treating social media as public sphere developed from the work of Jurgen

Habermas. First study used Some wherein blog, a leading community blog site of

Bangladesh, as a tool for conducting online surveys and attempted to diagnose the democratic

potentials of Bangla blog. The second study progressed from the theoretical debate of the first

one and aimed to outline the relation between social media and online public opinion

implying online surveys and in-depth interviews of bloggers of Bangla blog sites. The main

argument of this paper concentrates on particular circumstances those two studies had faced

that could be contradictory to conventional social research. These circumstances include

participation of respondents on surveys without any sampling frame, rapport building with

respondents for quantative study, producing qualitative data for quantitative study and

challenging the other boundaries that need to be blurred. The significance of this paper lies on

understanding the need for adaptation of online social research with open, fluid and cross

disciplinary approaches.

Note: The two studies considered to be discussed in this paper were conducted by the author

as part of BSS Research Monograph (2012-13) and MSS Thesis (2014) from Department of

Sociology, University of Dhaka. Both Studies were supervised by Dr. A.I. MahbubUddin

Ahmed.



Bangladesh Institute of Social Research

(BISR) Trust is an independent, non-profit,

non-party multi-disciplinary think tank

established in 2003 with an aim to conduct

research on various fundamental and critical

development issues of Bangladesh. The

organization is constituted as a trust under

the Trusteeship Act of 1882, governed by a

Board of Trustees consists of distinguished

academicians, professional and scholars.

The organization follows an Annual

Research Plan (ARP) every calendar and

Annual Publication Plan (APP) following

two phases (Jan-June and July-December)

for disseminating its research findings to

national and international communities.

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