Involvement in Dairy Farming and Women’s Empowerment
摘要
This chapter investigates the involvement of rural women in dairy farming and its association with women’s empowerment in selected villages of Mymensingh district, Bangladesh. By comparing modern (V1 (M)) and traditional (V1 (T)) and V2) dairy farming contexts, the study examines women’s participation in economic decisions, feeding, breeding, animal health care, farm management, and milk utilization. Results show that women in V1 (M) have a higher extent of contribution, actively engaging in animal selection, sales, record-keeping, calf care, and health management, while traditional tasks requiring physical labor or external engagement remain male-dominated. Women’s involvement in modern systems correlates strongly with empowerment indicators such as self-confidence, control over household income, self-sufficiency, and reduced domestic violence. In contrast, women in traditional settings exhibit limited participation and weaker links to empowerment outcomes. The findings highlight that modernization, access to resources, and progressive farm management enhance women’s agency, economic roles, and social status, emphasizing the transformative potential of modern dairy farming for gender equality in rural Bangladesh.