Director

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my thesis supervisor Dr. M.A. Hakim for his supervision, guidance and encouragement. I have always found him helpful. Without his advice, comments and endless interest, this work could not have been carried out and completed. I am also grateful to Dr. Imran Matin, Deputy Executive Director, BRAC and Former director of Development Studies Program, BRAC University for his support to carryout the research. I would like thank to Dr. Ferdous Jahan, Academic Coordinator, BRAC Development Institute, BRAC University for her kind cooperation. I am very thankful to Dr. Humaira Islam, the Founder Executive Director, Shakti Foundation for giving me an opportunity to conduct the study in her organization. I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Moiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Coordinator-Finance and Mr. Abdul Karim, Area Officer & Branch Manager of Shakti Foundation for their constant support during the field investigation. I am also grateful to sample respondents for their cheerfully and patiently giving the necessary information. Finally, I express my gratitude to my family members for their moral support and encouragement during my research work