Abstract
To achieve rural development in Bangladesh, implementation of poverty reduction programmes is essential. Development programmes have different dimensions in different political and social systems but common to all is the need to reduce unemployment, poverty and inequality with the participation of the masses. Employment of women in income generating activities is regarded an important element of economic development of the country. In such situation NGOs are playing an important role in rural development by encouraging women's participation with credit support in income generating activities and wage employment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of NGOs on the income and statue so participating women. For that purpose seven upazilas from six districts were purposively selected where the selected NGOs are actively working. The study shows that after joining the programme, with the credit support, a significant proportion of the participating women got involved in income generating activities. The size of family and education level were found to be directly related to the off-farm labour supply. Higher education levels had increased labour skills and therefore, the opportunities for off-farm work. It also shows that the inequality in income reduced to some extent after the joining of women members in project. As the educational level of the head of the household increases the probability of that household being poor decreases. The results suggested that the intensity of poverty is most severe among the landless population. It is thus evident that intensity and contribution to total poverty decline as the size of land holding and income increases. As a consequence women participants gained substantial financial development and social status. The perception of NGO participant women was that they were benefited financially and their awareness also increased tremendously. All NGOs were successful in bringing about impressive positive change of the participant women with respect to increase in production, savings, total income, knowledge, attitude, efficiency, development of health and sanitation, which had enhanced economic well being of their families. It was revealed that women participants of NGOs were benefited. Their income and employment increased. The status and decision making power of women participants increased tremendously. It appears that NGO programmes succeeded in creating positive impact on participant women members. Proper identification of the problem, designing of the suitable and sustainable packages, continuous appraisal and implementation of the project, relentless co-ordination work at all levels by the NGOS were mainly responsible for bringing about substantial economic gains of the participants.