Browsing by Author "Samadder, Mrinmoy"

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An assessment of BRAC’s popular theatre: knowledge grounding and effects
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2014-12) Pervez, Anis; Samadder, Mrinmoy
Popular theatre as a communication medium has gained immense attention and is widely practiced in Bangladesh by various NGOs for raising consciousness in achieving rights and justice required for social development. Likewise, BRAC has been using popular theatre as a communication channel to disseminate development messages among the people for whom development is addressed, and felt the necessity to assess to what extent the knowledge packed by such messages is grounded into people’s cognition besides evaluating the strengths and weakness of popular theatre as practiced by BRAC. This study presents such an assessment conducted by using a triangulation method comprising survey, focus group discussion, and case studies. The study observes that knowledge is grounded at a high moderate rate and people have no problem in identifying popular theatre as a distinct form for entertainment and communication. People at a large considers popular theatre as a means for extending education unveiling social ills while also suggesting ways out of such underdevelopment. Drama group is viewed as a change-maker. There is a need for post-performance dialogue, which is not practiced regularly. Nevertheless, popular theatre, if properly addressed and practiced in combination with other development programs, is likely to help develop a counter discourse that is required for a sustainable social development.
Assessment of road safety awareness and knowledge among drivers and community people: A baseline study
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 2016-12) Kumar Saha, Polin; Samadder, Mrinmoy
The baseline study was initiated by the Research and Evaluation Division at BRAC, highlighting the aim of BRAC's road safety program to achieve zero fatal road accidents. To understand this dynamic of road accidents with the purpose of preventing its occurrence to a satisfying level, the existing community-centric knowledge was assessed in the study areas. The baseline survey involved participants ranging from community members, students and drivers of both motor and non-motor vehicles. However, the study intends to understand the current status of individual and group level knowledge and attitude of drivers and community members regarding road safety. To map changes over time between baseline and end-term periods, the baseline study conducted between two groups of respondents; such as treatment group (the group was intervened by the program supports) and control groups (the group was independent, not supported by the program). The baseline study found, regardless of the comparison between treatment and control groups, that the vast majority of commercial motor vehicle drivers had no license (80%), almost none of them had received training after the start of their career (90%), and some traffic laws were little learned. Among the non-motor vehicle drivers, 28 per cent possessed a driving license and practically no one in the group had received training. In conclusion, the study revealed that the road safety knowledge of all the groups of respondents was poor.
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.
Eradicating extreme poverty in Bangladesh: national strategies and activities
(Brac University, 2013-04) Qayum, Nayma; Samadder, Mrinmoy
Although Bangladesh has achieved fairly steady economic growth, as of 2011, almost half of its population still lived in extreme poverty. As a result, the Government of Bangladesh and its development partners have recently started to target the extreme poor in many development policies and programmes. As part of a BRAC Advocacy Unit project titled National Policy Advocacy for CFPR-TUP, this study maps the current status of national-level policies and programmes that address extreme poverty in Bangladesh. Research methods include analysis of national strategies, project evaluations, academic literature, print media, and interviews with national stakeholders - academics, policymakers, development practitioners, and journalists. The study found existing poverty classifications as dated, and overlapping. Mostly linear in nature, these classifications did not represent categorical sub-groups of the poor. Development actors implemented multiple, overlapping programmes which often failed to distinguish between short-term social protection, and longer-term poverty alleviation. Increased dialogue between stakeholders, sharing organizational experiences, and collaboration on a national strategy can improve the quality of extreme poverty initiatives in Bangladesh.
Group norms and the Brac village organization—enhancing social capital baseline
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 2012-04) Qayum, Nayma; Samadder, Mrinmoy; Rahman, Rehnuma
As an NGO, BRAC adopts a holistic development approach centred on the Village Organization (VO), a group of female microfinance clients. In order to upgrade the VO integrity and norms, BRAC’s Social Development (SD) Program (currently renewed as Community Empowerment Program or CEP) introduced the Enhancing Social Capital (ESC) project in 2010. This study used social capital as an organizing framework to capture VO members’ group behaviour, and their current status along with program activities. The study compared the status of intervention VOs with comparison VOs. Data were derived from 728 VO meeting observations and 2445 semi-structured interviews of VO members. It found that geographical and infrastructural factors explained some differences between intervention and control groups. VO presidents performed better than the general VO members (GM). VO group solidarity, individual trust, the VO’s client-friendliness, and years of education influenced the extent to which VO members adhered to good VO group norms.
Knowledge and behaviour assessment of drivers and community people towards road safety: A baseline study
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 2017-01) Samadder, Mrinmoy; Saha, Polin Kumar
Recently, road traffic accidents are considered to be the leading cause of death both in developed and developing countries. In Bangladesh, BRAC has recently initiated a new program on road safety in aiming to increase road safety awareness among road users. The ultimate goal of the program is to achieve “zero fatal road accidents” between Syedpur- Enayetganj road of Nabiganj Upazila in Habiganj district. The study intends to understand the current status of knowledge and practices on road safety of selected motor and non-motor drivers, students, teachers and a group named Community Road Safety Group (CRSG). To achieve this goal, the present study conducts conducted a baseline survey in both intervention and control areas followed by Focus Group Discussion (FGD), in-depth interviews, and investing the CRSG group formation including its activity plan in the treatment area. Findings show that both the drivers and students possess poor knowledge about the traffic rules and the road safety issue. Alternatively, it is also found a significant issue that there is a huge gap between knowledge and behaviour of drivers at time of driving. Finally, it has been revealed that road accidents blame to many contributory factors leading to site-specific road accidents such as a variety of vehicles in a specific road structure, speed of the vehicles, traffic regulations, poor education of students etc. and all of these are interrelated with the human attitude, behaviour and road conditions.
Legal empowerment through human rights and legal education course: observations and recommendations from field visits
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division (RED), 2012-07) Naomi, Sharin Shajahan; Samadder, Mrinmoy
This study was conducted in the context of Human Rights and Legal Education (HRLE) training in Rangpur and Gaibandha under a field-testing module. To extract data for understanding the module’s implications in the lives of ain shebikas (community paralegals) and learners, qualitative methods including interviews, group discussions and observations were applied. Data were collected in short-time to meet the programme need for recovering the limitations of a field testing module. The positive findings include ain shebika’s accessibility in rural community, bridging the gap between learners and law through the use of local vernacular and wisdom by the ain shebikas, inclusion of property rights and gender in the new curriculum, and adding field visits after the class, etc. In parallel, the concerning issues of the findings include not adding subjects like ‘fatwa’, eve-teasing, critical analysis of gender, and lack of duty-based approach in HRLE module. The limitations also became grave in respect of deeply rooted cultural and religious practice versus women’s claims for rights, lack of economic empowerment and land ownership leading to disenfranchisement among women learners, and self-centred attitude in implementing the rights. Considering the limitations and risks, a broad range of recommendations are made including ideological issues - introducing duty-based approach to rights, women’s independent identity as citizens, including male members in the class, as well as technical matters like using real life experience in the lessons on state’s obligations, and using more clear pictures.
Revisiting group dynamic and legal rights
(BRAC Research and Evaluation Division, 2010-11) Kundu, Debasish Kumar; Samadder, Mrinmoy; Naomi, Sharin Shajahan
BRAC Human Rights and Legal Services Program (HRLS) was initiated to form the ward-based Legal Rights Implementation Committee (LRIC) comprised of 19 members to ensure justice for the vulnerable women of the community. The study explores the dynamics of the committee formation, the strength and weakness of HRLS and to analyze the nature of performance and sustainability in achieving justice for the women. The study was exploratory in nature, following Tuckman’s four stages group dynamics model to achieve the basic objectives of the group. The study investigated the activities, performances and contribution of seven committees in Khulna, Moulvi Bazar and Jamalpur each over seven months period. The findings show that as the LRIC committee constituted of different professional groups, therefore, it became more effective to protect the interest of most vulnerable groups by providing the legal support to them. A number of collective actions visualized the potential contributions of the members of LRIC. But at the same time the study shows how the LRIC faced the sub-group syndrome among the members because of their hierarchical position in social strata. However, inadequate group cohesion and lack of intra-group bond and interactions constituted a comparatively weaker social space for LRIC group. The women members were seemed to be proactive in their individual and group level performance. Moreover, the community people acknowledged the necessity of LRIC but they had no basic knowledge of its modality and activities. Finally, it can be said that despite some limitations of LRIC, it has proved its capacity to potentially be an effective group for protecting the legal rights of the most disadvantaged.
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.