Coping Gender Inequality through Home Based Work: A Study of Adaptive Micro Scale Work Environments in Korail Slum, Dhaka
- Department of Architecture, BRAC University, 66 Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
Published in The Second NZAAR International Event Series on Natural and Built Environment, Cities, Sustainability and Advanced Engineering, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8 December 2016, pages 24 to 35. New Zealand Academy of Applied Research. ISSN 2463-5979 (online), 2463-5960 (print).
Abstract
In Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, slums are the natural consequence of rapid unplanned urbanization and poor economic growth. Women living in slums face acute gender inequality due to higher level of poverty and lower level of education. Using Korail slum as a case study area, the study investigates how women facing gender inequality use home based work in adapted micro-scale work environments' as coping mechanism. Using observation, interview and focus group discussion as research tools, the study attempts to identify these apparently mundane spaces and their role in everyday life of the women living in slums. Findings show, the female workers have a spontaneous ability for cultural adaptations and creating home based work environments for survival. The study will possibly contribute in identifying the spontaneous space typologies that help female slum dwellers earn their livelihood and in coping with gender inequality which can guide possible future intervention and/or external support.
Keywords: Home Based Work; Slum; Gender Inequality; Adaptive Micro Scale Work Environments; Female Workers
Rights
Copyright © New Zealand Academy of Applied Research Ltd 2016. All rights reserved. Reproduced in the GDI Academy archive from the original proceedings without change to the authors’ text.