LIVELIHOOD CHANGES OF RURAL WOMEN DUE TO WORKING IN THE FISH PROCESSING INDUSTRY

The rural women of Bangladesh are getting involved in different income-generating activities like fish processing. Through these activities, rural women contribute to the family income and ensure a better life for the family members. In this perspective, the current study was conducted to assess the livelihood changes of the rural women working in the fish processing plant, identifying the factors affecting the livelihood change and finding out the problems faced by the rural women worker while working in the fish processing industry. The study was conducted in the Trishal Upazila of Mymensingh district. The population size was 140; out of them, 70 were selected randomly. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data through a face-to-face interview. Then, regression analysis was done to identify associated factors. The majority (68%) had a medium change in livelihood. Household size, annual family income, training, and extension media contact were the most crucial variables explaining the respondents' livelihood change. Moreover, most (60%) of the women faced low problems in fish processing activities. Among the identified problems, the major concerns were lack of technical knowledge, transportation facility, and poor salary. Therefore, government and non-government organizations must provide frequent need-based training facilities for rural women to strengthen their skills that may help improve their livelihood.