Results of this recent study in rural Bangladesh suggest that programs
that draw women out of their homes and reduce their dependence on men
are contributing to greater use of contraception. One such program, G
rameen Bank, now has female members in nearly half of all Bangladesh v
illages. Participation in the program was found to be associated with
high levels of contraceptive use even among women who have not been ex
posed to family planning outreach. For nonparticipants in communities
where the program works, the combination of home visits by female fami
ly planning workers and the presence of Grameen Bank in the village ap
pears to have a dramatic effect on contraceptive use.