This paper examines the socio-demographic and female status predictors of current contraception among a group of women beneficiaries of development programmes in four rural areas of Bangladesh. Although the socio-demographic factors are found to persist as the most important determinants of contraceptive use among these women, changes in female status are also able to significantly influence contraception, and display net independent effects. These changes in female status may be linked to both direct and indirect programme inputs, the most notable impact on contraceptive use being through increased physical mobility outside the homestead. These findings bear important implications for programmes aimed at impacting on fertility levels through changes in women’s status.