The Role of NGOs in Increasing Awareness among Vulnerable Women in Bangladesh: A Study on Two Selected NGOs in Rajshahi District

Abstract

Women can play an equal and vital role in all sorts of development activities of a country .Approximately half of the total population of Bangladesh is woman. From a long time being, religious fanaticism and superstitions are considered to be the main barrier of women’s development. Like one cannot ignore the contributions of women in the question of expansion of society and civilization, similarly sustainable and fruitful development cannot be acquired without the participation of women. Despite of the equality of man-women ratio in Bangladesh, the importance and potentialities of women have been disregarded in socio - economic developments till today. Women are suffering in every respect in this country. From a long time, this trampled situation makes women apathetic and unconscious about her country, society and herself Right from their birth, women are neglected in food sharing, education, work, independent thinking, and right to property, choice and matters of decision making. Patriarchy still controls all institutions of the society, the parliament, military establishments, judiciary, education and benevolent organizations etc. Women have inadequate access to the law, due to illiteracy, lack of legal literacy, information and resources, insensitivity and gender bias. They are also lack awareness of women's human rights in general. But now everybody realize that without the contribution and participation of women the proper development and prosperity of the country cannot be possible. So, to improve the backward and in awareness situation, Government of Bangladesh takes various initiatives. But it 1s very difficult for the government alone to aware the backward women in a short period of time. So the government helps and supports various non government organizations (NGOs) to works for these vulnerable women. NGOs are working with the government to establish the rights and overall development of women. NGOs enable their clients and beneficiaries to graduate into higher standards of living. In addition to their poverty alleviation programs, they set many motivational programs for the women at grassroots level. These programs have made women aware of their rights and the women have their platform to raise their voices………………..