Socio-Political Transformation Through the CIG Approach

Abstract

In this chapter, we conduct key informant interviews (KII), a case study, and focus group discussions (FGD) with various stakeholders of the target region to verify the following hypothesis “CIG is an effective approach to empower women through socio-political transformation” (H2). The results clarified that socio-political transformation for the empowerment of women through the CIG approach is weak in the region even though change has begun. Thus, policy implications based on the analytical results suggest that the government should pay more attention to social innovation to reduce poverty and empower women in disaster risk governance while introducing a CIG approach.

Appendices

Appendix 6.1: List of Key Informants and Groups Interviewed

See Table 6.2.

Table 6.2 Description of the key informants and methods of interview

Appendix 6.2: Interview with Different Stakeholders Interview with Leader of Male/Female CIGs for the Research on Social Innovation for Women’s Empowerment in Disaster Risk Governance in a Haor Region of Bangladesh

This investigation is made for understanding the role of social innovation for women’s empowerment in poverty reduction and in disaster risk governance in a haor area of Bangladesh. It will be used only for research purpose and the opinion of participant is anonymous. The personal information will not be in the public. Thank you very much for your cooperation!

Explanation of two concepts:

• 1. Social innovation: Social innovation is defined as a solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable than existing solutions and for which the value created is primarily earned by society rather than private individuals.

• 2. Disaster risk governance: Disaster risk governance means the participation of different stakeholders in decision making and coordinates each other to manage the disaster risks in a given context.

Interview with leader of male/female CIG

Name:……………………………Age:………….…Sex: Male/Female,

Level of Education:…………………..

Date of interview:…………………………………

Time of interview:…………………………………

Greetings!

Please answer the following questions:

Question 1: When did you form the CIG and how many members are there in your CIG?

Answer:

Question 2: What is socio-economic status of the members of your CIG? (age, literacy level, farm size, annual household income etc.)

Answer:

Age:

Level of education:

Farm size:

Annual household income:

Question 3: What are the activities do you carry out as a CIG? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Sitting on a monthly meeting

• Discussing contemporary farming issues, problems and solutions

• Participating in training

• Participating in technology demonstration

• Diversifying crop cultivation

• Participating in field day

• Saving money in every month

• Others (specify)

Question 4: What is your role in decision making in CIG as a leader?

Answer:

• Making decision and informing it to the other members

• Discussing with other members to take decision

• Communicating instructions from upper management to the members

• Summarizing the opinions of members and conveying them to upper management

• Others (specify)

Question 5: What changes have you noticed in your CIG members due to the formation of CIG and working in a group? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Increased access to knowledge and technology

• Increased adoption of improved technology

• Increased the diversity of crop cultivation

• Increased farm production and income

• Increased institutional access at the local level

• Increased access to the local market

• Increased confidence in production and disaster management

• Others (specify)

Question 6: What do you think about organizational partnership in the locality through CIG approach? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Accessing to different government offices at local level

• Accessing to NGO services (microcredit, health services, legal support etc.)

• Accessing to financial institutions (such as Bank)

• Contacting to input dealers (seed, agro-chemicals etc.)

• Collaborating with other community based organizations (CBOs)

• Others (specify)

Question 7: What do you think about women’s empowerment through CIG approach? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Recognized as individual farmer

• Enhanced leadership skill (speaking and listening to others) due to working in a group

• Participated in income generation activities

• More contributed to household income and nutrition

• Be aware of own problems or rights

• Created a platform to raise their voice

• Accessing to productive assets and household income

• Strengthen the role in household decision-making

• Increased mobility in the community

• Others (specify)

Question 7(1): What are the barriers do you think to women’s empowerment?

Answer:

• Lack of awareness of their own capabilities

• Lack of motivation to participate in community development programs

• Cultural norms

• Less access to education and training

• Less access to assets and income

• Lack of decision making power at household/community level

• Restricted mobility in the community

• No/less access to local market

• Others (specify)

Question 8: Do you have any interaction with other CIGs (male or female)?

Answer:

• Male (Yes, No)

• Female (Yes, No)

If ‘Yes’ how? If ‘No’ why?

Question 9: Do you face any problems while working with CIG? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Conflict among group members (for reasons like position in the group, unequal sharing of advantages etc.)

• Not all members are equally interested in the same subject/technology

• Political influence of local government (union council) elections

• Less cooperation from agriculture office

• Others (specify)

Question 10: How can you solve these problems (to what extent)?

Answer:

Question 11: Discuss the role of women in disaster risk governance in the community (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• They can survive and acquire coping skills in emergency situations including food preservation

• They preserve cooking materials for disaster period

• They have family and community roles that make them important risk communicators

• Their social networks provide information about members of their community who may be need assistance, or who can help in times of crisis

• They play a leadership role in local networks and organizations

• They have access to in-depth information that is often not easily accessible to outsiders

• They can contribute to the empowerment of individuals and families

• They can play an important role in monitoring development programs

• Others (specify)

Question 12: Do you think the CIG approach has any impact on the role of women in disaster risk governance in the community?

Answer:

• Yes

• No

If ‘Yes’ how?………………………

Question 13: What are your expectations through CIG approach for women’s empowerment in DRG? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• More training on…………

• Credit support from formal financial institutions

• Easy access to local market

• Bargaining power at household as well as community level

• Access to other social services (e.g. health and sanitation)

• Awareness campaign

• Others (specify)

Interview with local agriculture officer for the research on Social Innovation for Women’s Empowerment in Disaster Risk Governance in a Haor Region of Bangladesh

This investigation is made for understanding the role of social innovation for women’s empowerment in poverty reduction and in disaster risk governance in a haor area of Bangladesh. It will be used only for research purpose and the opinion of participant is anonymous. The personal information will not be in the public. Thank you very much for your cooperation!

Explanation of two concepts:

• 1. Social innovation: Social innovation is defined as a solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable than existing solutions and for which the value created is primarily earned by society rather than private individuals.

• 2. Disaster risk governance: Disaster risk governance means the participation of different stakeholders in decision making and coordinates each other to manage the disaster risks in a given context.

Interview with local agriculture officer

Name:…………………………..……….Age.…………..Sex: Male/Female,

Date of interview:………………………….

Time of interview:…………………………

Greetings!

Please answer the following questions:

Question 1: How CIGs are formed? What are the criteria for the farmers to be a member of CIG?

Answer:

Question2: Why male and female CIGs are separate?

Answer:

Question 3: Do you have any female Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer (SAAO) in your office to work with female CIGs?

Answer:

• Yes

• No

If ‘No’ why?…..

Question 4: Have you noticed any change in CIG members due to working in a group? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Increased access to farming knowledge and improved technology

• Increased adoption of improved technology

• Increased the diversity of crop cultivation

• Increased farm production and income and reduce poverty

• Increased institutional access at the local level

• Increased access to the local market

• Others (specify)

Question 5: What do you think about women’s empowerment through CIG approach? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Recognized as individual farmer

• Enhanced leadership skill (speaking and listening to others) due to working in a group

• Participated in income generation activities

• More contributed to household income and nutrition

• Be aware of own problems or rights

• Created a platform to raise their voice

• Accessing to productive assets and household income

• Strengthen the role in household decision-making

• Increased mobility in the community

• Others (specify)

Question 6: Do you think the collaboration at organizational level has been increased in the locality through CIG approach?

Answer:

• Very much

• A little

• Not at all

• I cannot say

Question 7: Do you think the CIG approach has any impact on disaster risk governance in the community?

Answer:

• Yes

• No

If ‘Yes’ how? If ‘No’ why?………………..

Question 8: What are the challenges or limitations of CIG approach?

Answer:

Question 9: What are the strategies to overcome these challenges or limitations?

Answer:

Interview with union council member (female) for the research on Social Innovation for Women’s Empowerment in Disaster Risk Governance in a Haor Region of Bangladesh

This investigation is made for understanding the role of social innovation for women’s empowerment in poverty reduction and in disaster risk governance in a haor area of Bangladesh. It will be used only for research purpose and the opinion of participant is anonymous. The personal information will not be in the public. Thank you very much for your cooperation!

Explanation of two concepts:

• 1. Social innovation: Social innovation is defined as a solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable than existing solutions and for which the value created is primarily earned by society rather than private individuals.

• 2. Disaster risk governance: Disaster risk governance means the participation of different stakeholders in decision making and coordinates each other to manage the disaster risks in a given context.

Interview with female union council member

Name:………………………………Age:………….………Sex: Male/Female,

Level of Education….……..

Date of interview:……………………………………

Time of interview:…………………………………

Greetings!

Please answer the following questions:

Question 1: In which year were you elected as a member of the union council? How many competitors were you in the election? What is your strong point to win by your evaluation?

Answer:

Question 2: What are the existing practices for women’s empowerment and poverty reduction in your region? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Microcredit support for income generation activities

• Formation of common interest group (CIG)

• Access to local market to sell their products directly

• Maternity allowance from local government

• Allowance for widow from local government

• Legal assistance to women against violence

• Others (specify)

Question 3: Do you think that these practices have any effect on the empowerment of women and poverty reduction in the society?

Answer:

• Yes

• No

If ‘Yes’ what kind of effects?

• Access to productive assets and household income

• Participation in income generation activities

• More contribution to household income and nutrition

• Be aware of own problems or rights

• Strengthen their role in household decision-making

• Increase mobility in the community

• Increase access to health and sanitation services

• Others (specify)

Question 4: What are the common disaster risk management practices in your locality?

Answer:

• Construction of flood control dam (concrete and or earthen)

• Establishment of community tube well for safe drinking water

• Vulnerable group feeding (VGF)

• Relief distribution

• Disaster shelter management

• Spreading early warning message from union council

• Others (specify)

Question 5: What is the level of organizational collaboration (GOs, NGOs, CBOs etc.) in the activities related to women’s empowerment and disaster risk governance?

Answer:

• Very much

• A little

• Not at all

• I cannot say

Question 6: Explain the role of women in disaster risk governance at the community level (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• They can survive and acquire coping skills in emergency situations including food preservation

• They preserve cooking materials for disaster period

• They have family and community roles that make them important risk communicators

• Their social networks provide information about members of their community who may be need assistance, or who can help in times of crisis

• They play a leadership role in local networks and organizations

• They have access to in-depth information that is often not easily accessible to outsiders

• They can contribute to the empowerment of individuals and families

• They can play an important role in monitoring development programs

• Others (specify)

Question 7: How do you play your role as a council member in community development activities?

Answer:

Question 8: Can you express your opinion freely in the union council meeting?

Answer:

• Yes

• No

If “No” why….

Question 9: How much your opinion is accepted in the union council meeting?

Answer: …………….%

If your opinion is rejected, what is your general reaction?

Answer:

• Getting angry or depressed

• Trying not to worry

• Challenging again

Question 10: Give your opinion on how to change or improve the existing situation of women’s empowerment and disaster risk governance in your region?

Answer:

Interview with union council member (male) for the research on Social Innovation for Women’s Empowerment in Disaster Risk Governance in a Haor Region of Bangladesh

This investigation is made for understanding the role of social innovation for women’s empowerment in poverty reduction and in disaster risk governance in a haor area of Bangladesh. It will be used only for research purpose and the opinion of participant is anonymous. The personal information will not be in the public. Thank you very much for your cooperation!

Explanation of two concepts:

• 1. Social innovation: Social innovation is defined as a solution to a social problem that is more effective, efficient, sustainable than existing solutions and for which the value created is primarily earned by society rather than private individuals.

• 2. Disaster risk governance: Disaster risk governance means the participation of different stakeholders in decision making and coordinates each other to manage the disaster risks in a given context.

Interview with male union council member

Name:………………………………Age:………….………Sex: Male/Female,

Level of Education….……..

Date of interview:…………………………………

Time of interview:…………………………………

Greetings!

Please answer the following questions:

Question 1: In which year were you elected as a member of the union council? How many competitors were you in the election? What is your strong point to win by your evaluation?

Answer:

Question 2: What are the existing practices for women’s empowerment and poverty reduction in your region? (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• Microcredit support for income generation activities

• Formation of common interest group (CIG)

• Access to local market to sell their products directly

• Maternity allowance from local government

• Allowance for widow from local government

• Legal assistance to women against violence

• Others (specify)

Question 3: Do you think that these practices have any effect on the empowerment of women and poverty reduction in the society?

Answer:

• Yes

• No

If ‘Yes’ what kind of effects?

• Access to productive assets and household income

• Participation in income generation activities

• More contribution to household income and nutrition

• Be aware of own problems or rights

• Strengthen their role in household decision-making

• Increase mobility in the community

• Increase access to health and sanitation services

• Others (specify)

Question 4: What are the common disaster risk management practices in your locality?

Answer:

• Construction of flood control dam (concrete and or earthen)

• Establishment of community tube well for safe drinking water

• Vulnerable group feeding (VGF)

• Relief distribution

• Disaster shelter management

• Spreading early warning message from union council

• Others (specify)

Question 5: What is the level of organizational collaboration (GOs, NGOs, CBOs etc.) in the activities related to women’s empowerment and disaster risk governance?

Answer:

• Very much

• A little

• Not at all

• I cannot say

Question 6: Explain the role of women in disaster risk governance at the community level (Multiple answers possible)

Answer:

• They can survive and acquire coping skills in emergency situations including food preservation

• They preserve cooking materials for disaster period

• They have family and community roles that make them important risk communicators

• Their social networks provide information about members of their community who may be need assistance, or who can help in times of crisis

• They play a leadership role in local networks and organizations

• They have access to in-depth information that is often not easily accessible to outsiders

• They can contribute to the empowerment of individuals and families

• They can play an important role in monitoring development programs

• Others (specify)

Question 7: How do you play your role as a council member in community development activities?

Answer:

Question 8: How much do you value the participation of women members in union council activities?

Answer:

• Extremely important

• Very important

• Important

• Somewhat important

• Not important

Question 9: How can you evaluate the performance of women council members in community development activities?

Answer:

• Very good

• Good

• Average

• Poor

• I cannot say

Why?………………….

Question 10: Give your opinion on how to change or improve the existing situation of women’s empowerment and disaster risk governance in your region?

Answer: