Fatima Khatun1, Md. Rasheduzzaman, H. M. Rayhanul Islam, Md. Abdul Baten and Estiak Ahmed
Abstract
Women are restricted to specific jobs, positions, and roles that usually differ from those held by males in society from an early age. In Bangladesh, dependence on males was still found to be significant, and most women were discovered to be unemployed. This study consequently sought to give a complete overview of the challenges and demands of the women in cluster villages in Gopalganj, with a focus on projected socioeconomic conditions and WASH services. The study collected both primary and secondary data . Interviews and observations were used to gather primary data through a structured questionnaire survey, and secondary data was also gathered from other sources. For each of the three cluster villages in the Gopalganj District, the data were individually gathered and collated. In the selected cluster villages, 160 women were questioned for primary data. The research found that the women were dealing with a serious financial crisis, a lack of access to clean water, tube wells, sufficient hygiene management, poor pay, a lack of basic work skills and a lack of income. Their top priorities were the development of sustainable drinking water sources, providing personal hygiene items, increasing awareness, developing skills for a range of livelihood options, and the ability for financial independence. Overall, the study’s findings provide a comprehensive picture of the difficulties and requirements of women in cluster villages for WASH services and socioeconomic possibilities. As the entire socio-economic situation for women in the cluster villages were still insufficient, the government should step in and create policy initiatives to ease the sufferings and satisfy their requirements.
Keywords: Cluster village; Hygiene; Socioeconomic; Sustainable; WASH.