Abstract

This study assesses the short-term affects of the gender program of BRAC, Bangladesh. The Gender Quality Action Learning (GQAL ,) program is a work unit based learning approach for the staff of BRAC to improve gender relations among BRAC staff and to improve the quality of relevant programs with village women. This study looks into the Area Offices of BRAC to identify the apparent changes. The data was gathered from three Area Offices, two where GQAL has been implemented and one where it has not been introduced, through participant observation, focus group discussions, and individual and group interviews. The changes that the GQAL Area Offices have brought about are fundamental qualitative changes with respect to gender and organizational development. Democratization of decision making, increase in valuing women’s contributions, improvement of work family balance, and open relationships among staff have had an impressive impact on BRAC's attitude, and policies. The changes are obvious in the field as well as in the Head Office. For organizations who are struggling with incorporating mainstreaming gender and development into their programs and activities, this study will help them to explore the experience of BRAC and learn from it. BRAC will benefit from the study by being able to measure the short term changes apparent through GQAL and also to identify the areas that they want to promote or redefine.

Disciplines

Inequality and Stratification | Public Affairs | Social Welfare

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