ABSTRACT
Women's empowerment is an important policy agenda that is critical for developing countries like Bangladesh to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs). The prime objective of this paper was to examine whether community savings groups can truly improve the economic conditions of women which turns into women's empowerment in fishing communities or not. The propensity score matching (PSM) and logistic regression technique were incorporated, and required data were collected from Community Savings Groups (CSG) interventions and non-CSG villages of coastal Bangladesh. Quantitative data were collected from 615 women comprising 306 CSG participants (treatment group) and 309 non-participants (control group). The results affirm CSG group members were economically more solvent and less dependent on borrowed money than non-CSG group members. Improved economic indicators (savings, income and expenditure) of CSG households make the foundation of attaining women's empowerment for the intervened group. The findings revealed that CSG women performed better in various dimensions of leadership capacity than non-CSG women. Econometric analysis confirmed positive impacts of CSG interventions on savings, gross household income, earning from catching fish, alternative income-generating activities (AIGAs), expenditure, and women's empowerment. The initiatives of CSG not only generate economic well-being but also contribute to women's empowerment. Financial access, improved literacy and an enabling environment for the productive engagement of women reduce gender inequality in fishing communities. To sustain the benefits of CSG, establishing institutional linkages (advisory and financial), legality/registration of CSGs from the government authority, and facilitation of alternative IGAs are crucial.
ABSTRACT
Background: In low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh, where medical education faces a range of challenges-such as lack of infrastructure, well-trained educators, and advanced technologies, abrupt changes in methodologies without adequate preparation are more challenging than in higher-income countries. This was worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic and these challenges have resulted in a change in medical education methodology. This study assesses the medical education procedure, impacts and adaptation strategies and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the medical education system of Bangladesh from learners' as well as educators' perspectives. Methods: The study collected data from 22 Medical Colleges/Universities across 18 districts of eight divisions using quantitative and qualitative methods. A total of 408 samples were collected consisting of 316 from students and 92 from medical teachers. Descriptive analysis and probit model were performed for obtaining results. Results: The efficacy of online learning was questionable, but results showed that it was more effective for theory classes (92.4%) followed by clinical classes (75.63%) and the efficacy rate was low for practical classes (54.11%). All types of classes (theory, practical and clinical) are currently using mixed methods to some extent in medical education in Bangladesh. Regarding impacts and adaptation strategy, approximately 75.3% of the students surveyed expressed their acceptance of online education. Over 80% of the participants acknowledged the advantages of online learning, highlighting the freedom to learn from home, cost and time savings, and avoiding physical closeness with other students as major benefits. Conclusions: To address future challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic in medical education in Bangladesh, a comprehensive policy approach such as strengthening technological infrastructure, promoting blended learning approaches, enhancing faculty training and support, integrating telemedicine into the curriculum, and continuously evaluating and improving policies and interventions can enhance the resilience of its medical education system, and prepare for future challenges.
