Digital Commons Network^™

Female Secondary School Stipend Programs In Bangladesh And Pakistan: What Can We Learn From South Asia’S Ccts?, Julia Gibbons

Julia Gibbons

Investing In Teachers, Adeola Capel, Hilary Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Alison Lonsdale, Yung Nietschke, Rachel Parker, Kate Reid, Jeaniene Spink, Mollie Tobin, Mary Fearnley-Sander, Jacinta Overs

Dr Kate Reid

This evaluation compares evidence from the literature with Australia’s experience in supporting teacher development in a range of developing countries. It uses case studies to good effect in explaining choices made, the extent to which expectations were or were not met, and the lessons for future Australian assistance for teacher development. The evaluation found mixed results. In cooperation with governments and other donors, Australia has made positive contributions, such as improving teacher frameworks and curriculums, and training teachers through a range of interventions. However, there is room to improve—for example, in enhancing policy, strengthening analysis and negotiating new investments—so teacher …

Investing In Teachers, Adeola Capel, Hilary Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Kleinhenz, Alison Lonsdale, Yung Nietschke, Rachel Parker, Kate Reid, Jeaniene Spink, Mollie Tobin, Mary Fearnley-Sander, Jacinta Overs

Dr Hilary Hollingsworth

This evaluation compares evidence from the literature with Australia’s experience in supporting teacher development in a range of developing countries. It uses case studies to good effect in explaining choices made, the extent to which expectations were or were not met, and the lessons for future Australian assistance for teacher development. The evaluation found mixed results. In cooperation with governments and other donors, Australia has made positive contributions, such as improving teacher frameworks and curriculums, and training teachers through a range of interventions. However, there is room to improve—for example, in enhancing policy, strengthening analysis and negotiating new investments—so teacher …

Effect Of Standard Treatment Guidelines With Or Without Prescription Audit On Prescribing For Acute Respiratory Tract Infection (Ari) And Diarrhoea In Some Thana Health Complexes (Thcs) Of Bangladesh, M. O. Faruk Khan, A.K. Azad Chowdhury, M. A. Matin, K. Begum, M. A. Galib

M. O. Faruk Khan

Inappropriate prescribing for ARI and diarrhoea is a serious health problem in many developing countries including Bangladesh. A baseline retrospective prescribing survey for ARI and diarrhoea have been conducted in randomly selected 60 thana health complexes (THCs) of Dhaka division of Bangladesh. In the 38 of 60 THCs, the prescribers did not comply with the standard treatment guidelines (STG) for ARI. They are marked as 'unsatisfactory performers'. In these THCs unnecessary antibiotics were prescribed in more than 50% of the encounters. The study further revealed that in 26 THCs, comprising 41.6% of the 38 THCs, the situation was even worse …

Advancing Individual And Societal Development At The Community Level: Role Of Ngo Microcredit And Leadership Training, Denise Lucy, Jayati Ghosh, Edward Kujawa

Denise Lucy

In many countries throughout the world micro-credit loans are utilized to empower women by seeking to reduce the poverty of families and communities. Originally Non-governmental organizations’ (NGO) microcredit programs focused on funding women’s businesses. In so doing, NGOs encourage and support women’s empowerment leading to community building, as well as to advancing women’s individual gender equity. This descriptive study is based upon interviews of 100 women who participated in microcredit loan programs run by a Bangladeshi NGO, entitled, Nari Uddog Kendra (NUK). The case study examines the participation and impact of NUK’s business development and leadership training programs. The study …

Combating Acid Violence In Bangladesh, India, And Cambodia, Sital Kalantry, Jocelyn Getgen Kestenbaum

Sital Kalantry

This Report is the first comprehensive, comparative study of acid violence that examines the underlying causes, its consequences, and the multiple barriers to justice for its victims. Acid attacks, like other forms of violence against women, are not random or natural phenomena. Rather, they are social phenomena deeply embedded in a gender order that has historically privileged patriarchal control over women and justified the use of violence to “keep women in their places.” Through an in-depth study of three countries, the authors of the Report argue that the due diligence standard can be a powerful tool for state and non-state …

The Impact Of Financial Reform On Private Savings In Bangladesh, Abdur Chowdhury

Abdur R. Chowdhury

Over the course of the last decade, Bangladesh has implemented a broad-based program of financial and market reforms, encompassing changes in the structure of the financial system, prudential and supervisory frameworks, and monetary management. This paper estimates a savings function to evaluate the impact of various determinants of private savings in Bangladesh—with special emphasis on the impact of financial reform. The results show that the level of income, real interest rates, and the share of agriculture in GDP have a positive impact on the savings rate. Dependency rate and public savings rate, on the other hand, have a negative impact …

Archaeological Sites And Mangrove Forest: A Legal Overview Of The Ecologically Critical Areas In The Bangladesh Context, Arpeeta Shams Mizan

Arpeeta Shams Mizan

Ecologically critical area as a concept is practised globally to preserve the natural biodiversity of environmentally endangered areas. These areas also fall under the criteria of natural and cultural heritage. Since the Stockholm Declaration, leading international legal instruments have reiterated their sanctity in consonance with the principles of Intergenerational equity and also of human rights. The environmental law in Bangladesh has incorporated these principles by making provisions for Ecologically Critical Areas (ECAs) in the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995 (as amended in 2010) and the Environment Conservation Rules 1997. Bangladesh is a signatory to the World Heritage Convention, the principal …

Reply To "Response: Board Composition And Firm Performance: Evidence From Bangladesh - A Sceptical View", Afzalur Rashid, Anura De Zoysa, Sudhir Lodh, Kathleen Rudkin

Kathy Rudkin

This paper replies to Chowdhury’s (2010) response to the paper "Board Composition and Firm Performance: Evidence from Bangladesh" (2010). It challenges the strength of the criticisms, arguing that the factors discussed in Chowdhury (2010) do not necessarily impair the outcome of the research. The authors elucidate issues raised, and in so doing, reproduce the results incorporating the commentator’s suggestions

Regulation Of Recruitment Process And Reduction Of Migration Costs: A Comparative Analysis Of South Asia, Piyasiri Wickramasekara

PIYASIRI WICKRAMASEKARA

The study undertakes a comprehensive review of issues relating to recruitment processes and high migration costs in South Asia with special focus on Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

The paper first highlights migration trends in South Asia, and main features of South Asian migration. Next the paper reviews the international normative framework of recruitment covering the Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No. 181), the Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189), and the ILO Multilateral Framework on Migration (2006).

The paper reviews the main features and practices of private recruitment agencies and the legislative and regulatory framework covering their operations.

It …

Application Of Responsive Regulation In The Food Safety Regulations Of Bangladesh, Abu Noman M. Atahar Ali

Abu Noman Mohammad Atahar Ali

Application of responsive regulation in the food safety regulations of Bangladesh - Abstract Bangladesh, a developing country of the South Asian region, has been suffering from rampant food adulteration for the last few decades. Recent studies revealed that numerous deaths along with countless physical illnesses are occurring as the consequences of this ongoing food adulteration. Several attempts have been made through to change the food safety regulations [FSR] of Bangladesh to combat this alarming issue. Unfortunately, the situation has hardly been changed. Rather it is getting worse day by day. However, Bangladesh has never changed the regulatory enforcement philosophy of …

Reply To “Response: Board Composition And Firm Performance: Evidence From Bangladesh - A Sceptical View”, Afzalur Rashid, Anura De Zoysa, Sudhir Lodh, Kathy Rudkin

Sudhir Lodh

This paper replies to Chowdhury’s (2010) response to the paper "Board Composition and Firm Performance: Evidence from Bangladesh" (2010). It challenges the strength of the criticisms, arguing that the factors discussed in Chowdhury (2010) do not necessarily impair the outcome of the research. The authors elucidate issues raised, and in so doing, reproduce the results incorporating the commentator’s suggestions.

The Storyteller: Observations On Murtada Bulbul’S ‘Swineherders’, Sharon Sliwinski

Sharon Sliwinski

Annual Incidence Of Snake Bite In Rural Bangladesh, Ridwanur Rahman, M. Abdul Faiz, Shahjada Selim, Bayzidur Rahman, Ariful Basher, Alison Jones, Catherine D'Este, Moazzem Hossain, Ziaul Islam, Habib Ahmed, Abdul Hasnat Milton

Alison L Jones

Background Snake bite is a neglected public health problem in the world and one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity in many areas, particularly in the rural tropics. It also poses substantial economic burdens on the snake bite victims due to treatment related expenditure and loss of productivity. An accurate estimate of the risk of snake bite is largely unknown for most countries in the developing world, especially South-East Asia. Methodology/Principal Findings We undertook a national epidemiological survey to determine the annual incidence density of snake bite among the rural Bangladeshi population. Information on frequency of snake bite …

Response : Board Composition And Firm Performance : Evidence From Bangladesh – A Sceptical View, Khorshed Chowdhury

Khorshed Chowdhury

I have read the above paper with keen interest. The key finding of this paper is interesting: the appointment of independent directors has no perceptible influence on a firm’s economic performance in Bangladesh. The conclusion was derived from a sample of 274 firm-years. The implication of this finding is also very significant for regulators in Bangladesh and elsewhere ‘in their quest for harmonization of international corporate governance practices’ Rashid et al. (2010, p76). This paper also complements the results of an earlier paper on an allied topic by Bhuiyan and Biswas (2007) where they found that (p22) ‘corporate governance disclosure …

Workers’ Remittances And Real Exchange Rate In Bangladesh: A Cointegration Analysis, Mamta B. Chowdhury, Fazle Rabbi

Fazle Rabbi

Workers’ remittances have an ever important role as one of the major sources of foreign exchange earnings for the Bangladesh economy. It accounts for over 12 per cent of GDP in 2010 and having colossal socio economic implications for the country. Using Cointegation an Error Correction model, this paper attempts to contribute to the literature by investigating the effects of increasing flow of remittances on the real exchange rate of the country. Our results suggest that the influx of workers’ remittances significantly appreciating the real exchange rate by lowering the relative prices tradables to nontradables of the country compared to …

Type, Content, And Source Of Social Support Perceived By Women During Pregnancy: Evidence From Matlab, Bangladesh, Joyce K. Edmonds, Moni Paul, Lynn M. Sibley

Joyce K. Edmonds

Specific and contextualized data on social support during distinct health events are needed to improve social support interventions. This study identified the type, content, and source of social support perceived by women during pregnancy. In-depth interviews with 25 women, aged 18-49 years, living in Matlab, Bangladesh, were conducted. The findings demonstrated that women perceived, the receipt of eight distinct types of support. The four most frequently-mentioned types included: practical help with routine activities, information/advice, emotional support and assurance, as well as the provision of resources and material goods. Sources varied by type of support and most frequently included--mothers, mothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, …

Associations Of Plasma Selenium With Arsenic And Genomic Methylation Of Leukocyte Dna In Bangladesh, Richard J. Pilsner, Megan N. Hall, Xinhua Liu, Habibul Ahsan, Vesna Ilievski, Vesna Slavkovich, Diane Levy, Pam Factor-Litvak, Joseph H. Graziano, Mary V. Gamble

J. Richard Pilsner

Background

Global hypomethylation of DNA is thought to constitute an early event in some cancers and occurs in response to arsenic (As) exposure and/or selenium (Se) deficiency in both in vitro and animal models. In addition, antagonism between As and Se, whereby each reduces toxicity of the other, has been well documented in animal models. Se status may therefore modify the health effects of As in As-exposed populations.

Objective

The primary objectives of our study were to test the hypothesis that Se deficiency is associated with genomic hypomethylation of lymphocyte DNA and to determine whether Se levels are associated with …

Yes, I Can: Subjective Legal Empowerment, Martin Gramatikov, Robert B. Porter

Martin Gramatikov

This paper explores critically the notion of legal empowerment and suggests that the currently employed approaches lead to vague concepts which evade measurement and lend little programmatic guidance. Our thesis is that legal empowerment should be sought not in the process of providing legal solutions but in the subjective self-belief that a person posses and can mobilize the necessary resources, competencies and energies to solve particular problem of legal nature. This model rejects the existence of an overall quantity of legal empowerment. People’s beliefs in their ability to solve legal problems differ by type of problem, distribution of power in …

State-Led Rural Justice In Bangladesh, Zahidul Islam Biswas

Dr. Zahidul Islam

The first phase of my ongoing research on ‘State-led Rural Justice in Bangladesh’ is complete. The research exposes the state of state-led rural justice system in Bangladesh, detects the strengths and weaknesses of the system, and recommends for improvement of the same. Here is the executive summary of the research report entitled ‘Access to Justice through State-led Rural Justice System in Bangladesh: A Case Study in Kansat Union Parishad’. The report is submitted to the Research Initiatives Bangladesh, who funded it, and yet to be published However, for a soft copy of the research report, you may please contact: Research …

Folate Deficiency, Hyperhomocysteinemia, Low Urinary Creatinine, And Hypomethylation Of Leukocyte Dna Are Risk Factors For Arsenic-Induced Skin Lesions, Richard Pilsner, Xinhua Liu, Habibul Ahsan, Vesna Ilievski, Vesna Slavkovich, Diane Levy, Pam Factor-Litvak, Joseph Graziano, Mary Gamble

J. Richard Pilsner

Background

Arsenic methylation relies on folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism and facilitates urinary As elimination. Clinical manifestations of As toxicity vary considerably among individuals and populations, and poor methylation capacity is thought to confer greater susceptibility.

Objective

After determining that folate deficiency, hyperhomocysteinemia, and low urinary creatinine are associated with reduced As methylation, and that As exposure is associated with increased genomic methylation of leukocyte DNA, we asked whether these factors are associated with As-induced skin lesion risk among Bangladeshi adults.

Methods

We conducted a nested case–control study of 274 cases who developed lesions 2 years after recruitment, and 274 controls matched …

The Development Of Consumer Protection Law In Bangladesh: A Critical Comparative Study, Zafrin Andaleeb, Abu Noman Mohammad Atahar Ali

Abu Noman Mohammad Atahar Ali

ABSTRACT Consumer protection is a very important issue all over the world. Specially in third world countries it is more important where the life and liberty of the people are often intruded. It deserves mention that even 35 years after the independence of Bangladesh, the country is yet to have a comprehensive consumer protection law. Though it is true that many of the political governments promised in their manifesto to have a consumer protection law but after empowerment they seldom take care of it. In many countries of the South Asian region consumer protection is a very important movement and …

The Village Court: A Neglected But Potential Rural Justice Forum, Dr. Zahidul Islam Biswas

Dr. Zahidul Islam

The Village Courts in Bangladesh are established in 1976 with the objectives that poor village shall get easy access to justice without any cost, they can be freed from accepting unwanted decision given by the dominant or elite classes of village in the name of justice and disputant parties can be able to solve their problems by themselves with a little or necessary assistance from these dispute resolution forums. But the village courts have failed to achieve the objectives. This article examines the causes of the failure and finds that still there are great potentials in the village courts to …

Judiciary Must Take Bold Steps To Get Rid Of Backlog Of Cases, Dr. Zahidul Islam Biswas

Dr. Zahidul Islam

Backlog of cases appears to be a common predicament of the judiciaries worldwide. Countries from both developed and developing world have been facing this problem more or less alike. However, this difficulty for Bangladesh judiciary seems going from bad to worse every year. This article endeavours to explore the reasons behind the backlog of cases, and how to overcome the same.

Restricting Polygamy In Bangladesh, Dr. Zahidul Islam Biswas

Dr. Zahidul Islam Biswas

It is very unfortunate that polygamy in Islam has been a subject of controversy. While a group of scholars has, without going into deep study of the divine rules, preached that Islam has permitted to have more than one and up to four wives without reservation, the other group of scholars has, without paying any thought to the reality of life and society, opined that Islam in effect prohibited polygamy. Consequence is that they have made polygamy in Islam a moot question, which it is really not. Most deplorable state is that without any insights into the polygamy in Islam, …

The Confusions And Uncertainties Thwarting Family Courts In Bangladesh, Dr. Zahidul Islam Biswas

Dr. Zahidul Islam

The purpose of establishment of Family Courts in Bangladesh was to ensure a quick, effective and amicable disposal of some of the family matters, which the traditional civil courts had failed to successfully deal with. Unfortunately, the noble aim of introducing Family Courts has not been expectantly achieved though already more than two decades have passed after the courts’ coming into operation. There are many and diverse type of reasons behind such letdown. Given the socio-economic grounds, the procedural as well as substantive loopholes in the ordinance and related laws are not negligible. Besides, there are some misconceptions. This article …

A Community In Transition: The Biharis In Bangladesh, Abu Noman Mohammad Atahar Ali, Et Al

Abu Noman Mohammad Atahar Ali

Contributed articles; with reference to political and social history of Bihari (South Asian people) of Bangladesh

Genocide In The Non-Western World: Implications For Holocaust Studies, Robert Cribb

Robert Cribb

The example of the Holocaust has tended to dominate genocide studies, but the broader study of extreme violence makes it difficult to exclude the mass killing of indigenous peoples and mass killing on political grounds from the category of genocide.