Browsing by Author "Khan, Ashrafuzzaman"

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Active citizen and accountable local governance: a baseline survey
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2011-11) Khan, Ashrafuzzaman; Rahman, Md. Mafizur; Evans, Chris
This baseline survey on the members of the Union Parishad (UP) and the BRAC Polli Shomaj (PS) aims to assess to what extents the UP members are pro-poor and gender sensitive, and the services that they provide to the poor. The study was conducted in two districts- Bogra and Jessore. The sample size of study was 610 UP members, 549 executive committee members of 50 PS and 199 PS general members. The study reveals that the people have very little access in decision-making process of standing committees of UP, mostly because of committees being non-functional. Few UP members were aware of the PS and its activities.
Assessment of BRAC’s enhancing social capital project
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2011) Islam, Md. Akramul; Khan, Ashrafuzzaman
BRAC embraces a holistic approach towards development that is integrated with village organization (VO). To uphold and maintain the integrity and norms of BRAC VOs, Community Empowerment Programme (CEP) of BRAC initiated the Enhancing Social Capital (ESC) project in 2010. This study aimed to assess the progress in VO discipline in ESC project areas. We used a quasi-experimental design to understand the achievements of this project. Both quantitative and qualitative techniques were used to collect data from 264 VOs representing experimental and control group. The findings reveal that experimental VOs were performing better than control ones, particularly in sanitation, family planning, VO discipline, participation in local shalish, etc. The location of VO sometimes constrained project’s staff in attending VO activities in time. Thus, coordination between ESC and micro-finance staff should be improved to achieve ESC project objectives.
Assessment of workshop and activities of the BRAC local representatives
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2005) Sharmin, Lammia; Kabir, M Mahbubul; Yasmin, Rosie Nilufar; Imam, Nuzhat; Khan, Ashrafuzzaman
The study aimed to evaluate the BRAC Local Representative (BLR) workshops and to assess the activities of BLRs. The assessment of the activities included inter-programme coordination meetings and government coordination meetings. We assessed 12 workshops attended by 441 BLRs. Although the workshops were facilitated efficiently but suffered from time constraints. In many cases the BLRs activity schedules could not be maintained for variety of reasons. In most cases the local government authorities were positive about the performance of BLRs. The study recognizes the importance of BLRs and suggested some recommendations for qualitative improvement of BLRs and conducting more effective workshops.
Beyond dropout: A study on BRAC Primary School
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 2010-11) Khan, Ashrafuzzaman; Samadder, Mrinmoy
This study explored the reasons for dropout of students from BRAC primary schools. Data were collected in two phases through qualitative and quantitative methods. In the first phase, 681 schools were visited to find out the proportion of students dropped out. In the second phase, out of these 681 schools 128 were randomly selected to explore the reasons for dropout. The study was conducted on the schools located in Dhaka and Chittagong cities and in Bandarban and Rangamati districts. The overall dropout rate was 6.13% in the 681 schools visited. The reasons for dropout were grouped under five heads: familial, personal, educational, school- and community-related. Their contributions to dropout were 53.3%, 34.2%, 18.1%, 14.5%, and 14.1% respectively. The incidence of the dropout was higher among the female students and in the urban areas. The dropout in 3rd grade was the highest as the students found their textbooks difficult at that grade. Thus, it was recommended that the textbooks might be revised to make them easier to the students.
Rural organizations and active citizenship in Bangladesh: evaluation of BRAC’s Polli Shomaj
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2012-10) Qayum, Nayma; Khan, Ashrafuzzaman; Rahman, Rehnuma
Can rural civil society organizations (CSOs) generate active citizenship in developing societies? This report studies Polli Shomaj (PS), a ward-based civil society initiative of BRAC’s Community Empowerment and Strengthening Local Institutions (CESLI) programme. It examines PS achievements as a group, active citizenship among its members, and geographical diffusion of the organization’s influence. The study drew on 671 semi-structured group interviews, 2,684 semi-structured one-to-one interviews and census of four wards. Findings suggested that civil society organizations may increase active citizenship among rural citizens in Bangladesh, but such activism may not necessarily increase the accountability of local institutions. Certain operational elements may, however, enhance programme effectiveness. For example, PS groups may organize meetings in the early morning or late evening for maximum participation.
State of justice in Chittagong Hill Tracts: exploring the formal and informal justice institutions of Indigenous communities
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2011-01) Kundu, Debasish Kumar; Samadder, Mrinmoy; Khan, Ashrafuzzaman; Naomi, Sharin Shajahan
The justice system of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) is characterized by the existence of a dual justice system - the formal one according to the law of the country and the customary laws of indigenous people. The broad objective of the study is to explore the formal and informal justice system of the ethnic communities in CHT in regards to assist Human Rights and Legal Aid Services (HRLS) programme of BRAC for effective extension in this area. Five ethnic groups with highest representation in the region were included in the study. They are Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro and Bangali. Both quantitative and qualitative data were used. For quantitative analysis, 601 samples have been observed. In contrast qualitative tools including 25 in-depth interviews, 25 case studies, 25 informal discussions and observation of four Shalish from 24 villages/paras were used. Most of the cases reconciled by the informal justice system had some advantages in terms of easy accessibility and less time and money required for making decision. Most common disputes were on fighting, stealing, land grabbing, intra- and inter-household disputes including rape and murder cases. Some inhuman punishments were executed by the customary legal system. Most people in the region preferred customary laws for having a short trial procedure, less transportation hassle and availability of witness. A number of people opined for legal aid intervention in this area. At the same time hill people are much more inclined to keep their laws stronger as a part of their identity.
Understanding alternative dispute resolution for the rural women in Bangladesh: some illustrations from BRAC HRLS program
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2010-10) Kundu, Debasish Kumar; Khan, Ashrafuzzaman; Samadder, Mrinmoy
During the last decade, Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) gained enormous currency in rural development arena as an informal justice institution in Bangladesh and BRAC’s HRLS Programme has contributed in the domain of ADR of Bangladesh significantly. This study explored the contribution of ADR of HRLS programme in ensuring social justice for the rural poor women in Bangladesh. Data were collected in two phases applying qualitative methods. First phase observed 26 trial sessions from the legal aid programme and in second phase 10 ADR cases were selected to interview regarding parties. ADR provided the functional alternative of traditional shalish to the rural poor women. The study observed the disputes of ADR were the demand of dower and maintenance, demand of dowry money and assets, regain of conjugal rights, and appeal for separation and divorce. But all the cases had common background in terms of physical torture, mental abuse, not to provide adequate food. The ADR process contributed in providing social protection to the women victims and kept social harmony in a short range. The process sometimes gets crippled for weak procedure, alleged as women-biased, lack of skills and resources. Most of the Programme organizers (POs) had no legal background, upgrade knowledge and skills as they often had to apply their common sense and defector experiences in conducting the sessions. In conclusion, it can be said that the whole ADR process has contributed a lot in providing social justice to the women. HRLS programme can initiate publicity through billboard, miking, TV and radio commercial, cinema hall advertisement for ADR, which may enhance participation and level of awareness and ensure access to information on ADR services. HRLS programme also may consider some initiatives to reduce insecurity and vulnerability of the clients during and post ADR period.
Unifying social identity: community skilled birth attendant
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2017-07) Khan, Ashrafuzzaman; Kamruzzaman, Md
Homebirth is regarded as gold standard and the premier standard of birth possible. Community Skilled Birth Attendants (CSBA) received a six-month training in and out of class at skilled birth attendant (SBA) training institutes, approved by the Government of the peoples republic of Bangladesh. The trainees are involved in assisting the safe and clean delivery at home in rural Bangladesh. Many CSBA are engaged in Government and non-government organisations in relation to providing birth attendant services in rural Bangladesh. The intention of HNPP, BRAC is to increase the number of CSBA in order to achieve MDG 5. The study explored the process of social identification of CSBAs. The notion of social identity has delineated a comprehensive account of social relations in the theory of practice of Pierre Bourdieu. Moreover, social relations explained the process of social identification employing the concept of selfcategorisation and social categorisation. The study employed qualitative methods to explore the mechanisms of internal and social categorisation of CSBAs. The findings reveal that CSBAs are known as BRAC health cadres in the community. They are struggling to establish their identity as trained midwives in the community. Despite some challenges of their professions, CSBAs are respected as ‘dactar or nurse apa’ by the villages. Professional training on SBA enables them to generate income and social prestige. TBAs and village doctors create constraints to perform professional responsibilities of the CSBA in the community. On the other hand, the villagers are still bewildered about the terms as well as the roles and responsibilities of Shasthya Shebika (SS), Newborn Health Workers (NHWs), Shasthya Kormi (SK) and CSBA of HNPP, BRAC. They are confused whether health providers of BRAC are required paying for assisting homebirth. The villagers also perceive that assisting to homebirth is considered as social norm rather than professional duties. Moreover, the villagers hardly found the government service providers in this regard. Therefore, the study has outlined a number of recommendations for strengthening the profession of CSBAs of HNPP in BRAC.