Patriarchal Challenges for Women Empowerment in Neoliberal Agricultural Development: A Study in Northwestern Bangladesh

Abstract

Women are recognized as proactive catalysts for societal change in rural Bangladesh because of their significant socio-economic contributions to agricultural practices. Historically, they have been closely associated with various agricultural activities ranging from seed preservation to crop harvesting. Despite their vital role in the rural economy, women farmers have encountered a number of obstacles resulting from the adaptation of neoliberal agrarian policies. In recent decades, women’s participation in the agricultural sector has declined, which can be attributed to the influence of capitalist patriarchy on agricultural practices. Grounded on this argument, this present study aims to investigate a research question: What are the major challenges to women’s participation in agricultural practices in Bangladesh? In order to answer this question, data has been collected through in-depth interviews and household surveys from three villages of Jaldhaka Upazila in the Nilphamari district of northwestern Bangladesh. The findings of this paper argue that women’s participation in agriculture is challenged by the effects of the neoliberal policy perspective, such as the mechanization of agriculture, commercial land use, and land inequality, which continue to ratify patriarchy in agriculture. In such a situation, this study suggests women’s empowerment could be effectively facilitated by adopting agricultural policies that are specifically tailored to address gender dynamics, emphasizing the active engagement and meaningful representation of women in the processes of policy formulation and execution.

Women-Led Climate Change Adaptation: A Study in Northwestern Bangladesh

“…This research was conducted with small and medium women farmer families in Madrashapara, Kamarpara, and Baroipara villages in the Jaldhaka Upazila of the Nilphamari district in Northern Bangladesh (see Figure 1). This area is vulnerable to climate change and extreme natural events, including heavy rainfall, erratic precipitation patterns, excessive fog, droughts, and flash floods (see [12,26,27]), indicating the direct impacts of climate change. Location map of the study area (Madrashapara, Kamarpara, and Baroipara villages within Khutamara Union, Jaldhaka Upazila, Nilphamari district in Bangladesh) adopted from Rahman et al [12].…”

“…This area is vulnerable to climate change and extreme natural events, including heavy rainfall, erratic precipitation patterns, excessive fog, droughts, and flash floods (see [12,26,27]), indicating the direct impacts of climate change. Location map of the study area (Madrashapara, Kamarpara, and Baroipara villages within Khutamara Union, Jaldhaka Upazila, Nilphamari district in Bangladesh) adopted from Rahman et al [12].…”

“…In contrast, women primarily engage in agriculture and agricultural-related wage-based activities, while others perform household chores, work in artificial hair manufacturing, or engage in sewing. Notably, women in household chores face extended periods of unemployment and lack extracurricular activities beyond their homes [12].…”

“…Seasonal unemployment, lasting four months in April-May and October-November, creates vulnerability. Extreme natural events like droughts and irregular rainfall affect crop production, particularly during the dry season [12].…”

“…The frequency of these extreme natural events, particularly droughts and reduced rainfall, has surged [10,11]. In the northwestern region of Bangladesh, extreme natural events, including heavy rain, irregular precipitation patterns, excessive fog, and droughts, have become recurrent [12], signifying the direct impacts of climate change. Drought, especially, is an enduring challenge, primarily affecting vulnerable northern regions, and over the past half-century, Bangladesh has grappled with over 20 major drought episodes [13].…”