A culture-centered approach to underst anding gender in sexual and reproductive health services : a study of humanitarian organizations in Rohingya refugee camps, Bangladesh | |
| Author | Akhter, Marjan |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.DS-21-01 |
| Subject(s) | Gender mainstreaming--Bangladesh--Case studies Sexual health--Bangladesh Reproductive health--Bangladesh Refugees--Bangladesh |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development and Sustainability |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Refugee and migrant women face insufficient access to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services as barriers in service receipt and provision exist in multiple areas. The Women's Refugee Commission emphasizes the idea that health vulnerabilities of women and girls not only depend on the social determinants that constitute their life but also on how the humanitarian agencies respond to the needs (2016). In the Rohingya refugee settlement of Bangladesh, women and adolescent girls experience negative outcomes due to inconsistencies in the quality of service delivered. Gender is perceived as an influencing factor that shapes the receipt and provision of SRH care for the refugee adolescent girls and women. The main objective ofthis study is to analyze how culture and structure ofNGOs and agency of health care employees working in Rohingya refugee SRH programs influence design and provision of the services. A Culture Centered Approach (CCA) is applied as a guide that dives deep into the organizational structure, values, concepts, and practices to observe dimensions in health process. This study used qualitative method and conducted 24 In-Depth-Interviews on some top-level and mid- level management officials and frontline service providers to gather information regarding the health system they work on. Hierarchical structure in an organization where the superior holds more power, and a gender stereotypical culture impacts the gender relations. A less hierarchical organization has clear communication pattern and collaborative environment in the organizations. Gendered expectation from the social I context as well as from organizational culture makes the women staff victim of disparity. Agency of the service providers is influenced by demographic features such as their age, their personal desire towards making positive change. However, it is restricted due to the gendered and organizational hierarchy. |
| Year | 2021 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Chairperson(s) | Chatterjee, Joyee S. |
| Examination Committee(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko;Pal, Indrajit;Roy, Joyashree |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Her Marjesty the Queen's Scholarships (Thailand) |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2021 |