This study uses the 1993-94 Bangladesh Demographic Health Survey (a 2-stage nationally representative survey) to evaluate the effect of the woman's perception of her husband's approval of family planning on her current and future use of modern contraception, after controlling for selected socioeconomic and demographic factors. 9640 questionnaires were completed by female respondents in urban and rural areas. While most husbands supported family planning, contraceptive use among those whose husbands do not approve of family planning was much lower. In some areas of Bangladesh, however, husband's disapproval of family planning was still a major deterrent factor for woman's fertility control. It is suggested that as husband's approval does appear to be a major determinant of contraceptive uptake in similar developing countries in the region, more effective male targeting may be necessary for maintaining the success of the family planning programme in future