MLAF Bangladesh - Women Employment through Female Livestock Assistant

Women Employment through Female Livestock Assistant

The female livestock assistant training program is rooted in a gendered perspective. It focuses on the need for female animal health workers in Bangladesh to address socio-cultural barriers to access to animal health care services. MLAF first adopted the skilled livestock assistant approach in 2015 and trained male para-vets, but now, this approach is focusing on women.

Female livestock assistants are accepted by the community because they are from the community and are answerable to the community for their activities. They serve as health promoters, as the first point of care, and as sellers of veterinary medicine and products. During the monthly household farm visits, female livestock assistants also provide education on immunizations, hygiene, feeding, water, and sanitation.