Changes in villagers’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes concerning gender roles and relations in Bangladesh

This article examines the changing status of villagers’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes towards gender roles and gender relations over time. Data were collected from eastern areas of Bangladesh through surveys and in-depth interviews. Findings show that knowledge about discrimination, empowerment, violence against women, and marital issues increased remarkably, and attitudes on those issues changed positively – but not as much as expected. Traditional patriarchal norms, values, culture, and social structures still operated as barriers to gender equality.