The struggle of young widows in the tea estates of Bangladesh: a qualitative inquiry

ABSTRACT

This study aims to investigate the predicament of young widows residing in the tea estates of Bangladesh. The study used qualitative methods to understand how young widows perceive and interpret their experiences of widowhood. Nine young widows were chosen for the in-depth semi-structured interviews using referral sampling. Data were analysed thematically, which was then critically explored and contrasted with the previous literature. The results demonstrated that young widows in the tea gardens struggled to address the psychological, economic, health care, educational, and recreational demands of their children due to declining resource bases. Additionally, young widows face sexual harassment, emotional disturbances, financial insecurity, and gender-sensitive discriminatory cultural practices. The paper advocated for expanding the social safety net in the tea gardens and ensuring land ownership among the tea gardeners.

KEYWORDS:

• Bangladesh
• struggle
• survival strategies
• tea garden
• young widows

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declaration of interest(s).

Notes

1. Panchayat is an indigenous administrative unit who are responsible to rule the tea garden community. It is an informal representative council of the tea garden community that mediate the relationship between management and labor.

2. Nirrik refers to a predetermined amount of work that a worker must complete in order to be entitled to the daily wage of 120 Bangladeshi taka. Usually, tea garden workers have to collect 23 kg of tea leaves from the garden. Their daily wage will be reduced proportionately if they cannot meet the daily quota; The daily wage is increased proportionately if more than 23 kg of leaves are collected.

Additional information

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

Md Abdul Jalil

Md Abdul Jalil is a professor of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh. His research interest includes social work education and practice, disability, parenting, and social policy.

Apu Gauala

Apu Gauala is a Graduate student, Department of Social Work, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet, Bangladesh.