JBS Vol 13. Num 1. 2011 - Monga and Women: A Case Study from Gaibandha District of Bangladesh

This paper looks at how local women understand and cope with monga and attempt to shape the government’s monga mitigation policy. Monga is often defined by scholars and policy-makers as seasonal, periodic famine. That is, it is a time of special food and economic crisis that occurs annually. In contrast, this study defines monga as obhab or chronic poverty that exists throughout the year. In other words, it does not confine monga to a specific time period. This conceptualization of monga can help change its mitigation policies that currently center largely on “relief” for a limited period. The paper argues for a holistic program that runs throughout the entire year. The paper also shows that while monga affects everyone in the area, women and female-headed households suffer the most. However, the women have developed their own coping mechanisms. The paper finally recommends greater attention to some of these coping mechanisms in order to strengthen the monga mitigation process.