Appendix D
Sixteen Decisions
In March 1984 (less than a year after the incorporation of the Bank), a national workshop took place which was an historic occasion in the Bank’s development. The 100 participating women representing the five zones (see Note) agreed upon 16 Decisions which they committed themselves and the general membership of the Grameen Bank to implement. These 16 Decisions have become the Social Development Constitution of Grameen Bank and are the focus for the participatory process whenever members meet. Members of individual Centres re-arrange priorities and give different emphases to the various decisions, and in some cases modify the list, but these decisions remain the major guideline for individual and collective actions. In overseas replications of the Grameen Bank a set of decisions (often sixteen in number!) relevant to the local culture and customs are agreed upon.
Note: The country has 12 zones. In 1984 the Bank had Branches and Centres in five zones. Since then the outreach has expanded to all 12 zones. Back to text
The Decisions
We shall follow and advance the four principles of Grameen Bank - Discipline, Unity Courage and Hard Work - in all walks of lives. We shall bring prosperity to our families. We shall not live in diladated houses. We shall repair our houses and work towards constructing new houses as soon as possible. We shall grow vegetables all year round. We shall eat plenty of them and sell the surplus. During the plantation season, we shall plant as many seedlings as possible. We shall plan to keep our families small. We shall minimize our expenditures. We shall look after our health. We shall educate our children and ensure that we can earn to pay for their education. We shall always keep our children and their environment clean. We shall build and use pit-latrines. We shall drink water from tube wells. If it is not available, we shall boil water or use alum. We shall not take dowry at our sons' weddings nor shall we give any dowry at our daughters' weddings. We shall keep our centre from the curse of the dowry. We shall not practice child marriage. We shall not inflict any injustice on anyone, nor shall we allow anyone else to do so. We shall collectively undertake larger investments for higher incomes. We shall always be ready to help each other. If anyone is in difficulty, we shall help him or her. If we come to know of any breach of discipline in any centre, we shall go there and help restore discipline. We shall introduce physical exercises in all of our centres. We shall take part in all social activities collectively.
Adapted from the book "Give Us Credit," by Alex Counts (Times Books, 1996)