Bangladesh has long been a paradox. On the one hand the country’s burden of poverty is enormous: about 40 percent of its 140 million people live below the poverty line. Repeated natural disasters, weak governance and the confrontational politics of its very young democratic system compound this. But despite these challenges, Bangladesh’s economic and social performance has been impressive.

“I love to study. I love to go to school.” Bangladesh once had the lowest literacy rate for women anywhere in the world. Girls now outnumber boys in its schools.

Listen to a 60s clip about Bangladesh's female secondary school assistance program.