A Campaign to Reduce Poverty and Inequality in Bangladesh - Assignment Example

A Campaign to Reduce Poverty and Inequality in Bangladesh. 1.0. Introduction The intention of this paper is to advise a local citizen organisation of Bangladesh to support campaigns aimed at the reduction of poverty and inequality within the nation and simultaneously facilitate a better livelihood amid the women workers of the national garment industry by analysing the advantages and challenges to be involved in such practices. 2.0. Conceptualizing Poverty and its Causes ‘Poverty’ can be defined as the circumstance where the basic needs of people remain unsatisfied due to lack of adequate resources, particularly due to lower income capacity (O’Boyle, 1999). Some of the major causes of poverty are identified as unemployment, rapidly increasing population, inadequate consideration to social welfare along with the cultural factors which restrict the growth of communities among others. However, the ultimate reason for poverty within the national contexts can be identified in terms of unequal distribution of resources such as income and other basic amenities. For instance, the current statistical results depict that the nation comprises a population of around 146 million and to satisfy the needs of such huge population, Bangladesh earns an average Gross National Income (GNI) of approximately USD86.6 billion (Johnson & Farooki, 2010). It is worth mentioning in this regard that the causes of poverty may vary from one region to another owing to the governmental policies, economic fluctuations and cultural variances (World Bank, 1999). Considering these factors the local citizen company should identify the basic reasons for poverty in the selected region where it intends to operate and likewise develop strategies to address the issue. This will enable the company to practice highly effective strategies which can further prove beneficial for the reduction of poverty in that particular region. 3.0. Inequality Matters A significant linkage can be observed as persisting between the concepts of inequality and livelihood betterment. As stated by Hanlan (2013), inequality is directly related with poverty as a major causing factor. In the similar context poverty tends to create significant influence on the betterment of livelihood amid a particular region. Hence, it can be stated that persisting inequality in terms of gender, income as well as other social growth opportunities can create inevitable negative impacts upon the development of a given region. Inequality can be persisting in the related context in terms of cultural diversity, vulnerability and low income structure. For instance, cultural diversity and vulnerability act as the fundamental contributors to the issue of inequality which can be apparently witnessed among the working women in Bangladesh. These factors have been further diagnosed as the causing factors of poor growth among these populaces’ livelihood (Chang & et. al., 2002). According to Cullen & et. al. (2011), it has been owing to these concerns that various interventions to reduce poverty and subsequently enhance the livelihood of the society have been concentrated on the reduction of inequality. Hence, it is due to these reasons that the local citizen company needs to consider inequality when opting for supporting social welfare centred campaigns. 4.0. Effects of Gender Issue in Reducing Poverty, Inequality and Promotion of Livelihood Gender discrimination can also be regarded as one of the significant issues in promoting livelihood and reducing poverty as well as inequality among people of various levels in the society. Reduction in poverty and inequality can be possible by providing both men and women with equal employment opportunities (Chang & et. al., 2002). As stated by Cullen & et. al. (2011), inequality in the economic context can persist in the form of unequal income distribution and also in terms of unequal growth opportunities rendered to the men and women populaces which further contributes to the backwardness of the livelihood in specific regions. Studies, in this regard empirically depict that in the context of poverty, gender differences play a major role. For instance, in the employment sectors of various regions, including that of Bangladesh, men and women have been found to receive unequal structures of payments for identical job activities. This further contributes to the poverty of the society and also causes ineffective growth of women by a large extent (Johnson & Farooki, 2010). Contextually, as the local citizen company of Bangladesh intends to participate in the abolition of poverty, inequality and correspondingly respond to the development of women workers, taking into account the gender issues can be suggested as highly important. 5.0. Views and Knowledge of Low Income People The recent studies have often depicted that in majority instances the women workers of garment industries in Bangladesh have been deprived from various growth facilities witnessing discrimination within their working environment. It is worth mentioning in this regard that majority of the workers in the garment industry of Bangladesh are women which further signifies their viewpoints as quite crucial to be taken into account when framing appropriate strategies (Cullen & et. al., 2011). Furthermore, as stated by Chang & et. al. (2002), identifying cultural prospects and the basic needs of the society is a fundamental aspect when attempting to eradicate the issues concerning poverty and inequality within the socio-economic environment. The evidences revealed by Chang & et. al. (2002) further explained that in order to attain success in practicing campaigns to develop the livelihood of a particular region, it is essential for organisations or social groups to enhance their reachability within the community addressing the fundamental needs and likewise satisfying the developmental concerns of the populaces to the desired extent. Therefore, based on these particular aspects, the local citizen company can be suggested to take into account the view of the women workers within the country which would not only facilitate their understanding regarding the developmental needs of the sufferers, but shall also enhance the reachability of the social groups to render adequate assistance to the intended community members. 6.0. Reflection and Conclusion The key elements currently persisting in the international context, to support the initiatives planned to be performed by the local citizen company can be identified as the concerned governmental bodies, and the various International Non Governmental Organisations (INGOs) as well as social associations such as OXFAM, World Vision and Care, and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) among others. It has further been observed that since the mid 20th century, these aids have been actively participating in addressing social issues which tend to prohibit growth within the socio-economic contexts. In doing so, these aids have been assisting the local as well as the national and other interested bodies in organising campaigns to eradicate such developmental barriers (Brown & Hanlon, 2009). Hence, it is advisable for the local citizen company to obtain the assistance of INGOs and other registered governmental bodies to provide adequate facilities to women workers especially in the garment industry. From a generalised perspective, this may aid with increased understanding of the developmental needs and the constraints to social progress which can further enhance the efficiency of the organisation in its social performance. These aids have also been examined to be quite beneficial on rewarding a degree of financial as well as legal liberty when addressing such social issues (International Monetary Fund, 2012). References Brown, W. & Hanlon, J. (2012). ‘International action to reduce poverty’. International development in a changing world, pp. 293-319. Cullen, J. & et. al., (2011). ‘Interventions to Promote Livelihoods’. International Development In A Changing World, pp. 263-292. Chang, D. & et. al., (2002). ‘Culture, Livelihoods and Making a Living’. International Development in a Changing World, pp. 235-261. Hanlan, J. (2013). ‘Inequality – does it matter?’ International Development in a Changing World, pp. 207-234. International Monetary Fund. (2012). ‘Steps towards Change’. IMF Country Report No. 12/293. Johnson, H. & Farooki, M. (2010). ‘Thinking about Poverty’. International Development In A Changing World, pp. 177-206. O’Boyle, E. J. (1999). ‘Toward An Improved Definition of Poverty’. Review of Social Economy. World Bank. (1999). ‘The Definitions of Poverty’. Resources. [Online], Available at http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPOVERTY/Resources/335642-1124115102975/1555199-1124115187705/ch2.pdf (Accessed 28 January 2013). Read More