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"Problems of Empowerment of Elected Women Representatives of Local Government in Some Rural Areas of Bangladesh", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 1, page no.262-271, January-2021, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2101034.pdf

• Hasna Hena Khan
• S. M. Shahidullah

As the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees equal rights to all citizens clearly incorporated provisions for equal status of women so the Local Government (Union Parishad) Second Amendment Act 1997 of Bangladesh is a mile stone towards ensuring women’s equal access and space of increasing participation in political power structure. It provides 3 directly women members in the union Parishad from 3 reserved seats. The present study has conducted to assess the status of elected women representatives participates in decision making in respective development programs, to explore the types of capacity development training in operation for elected women representatives and to specify the limitations of women empowerment in Local Government Rural Development and Cooperative Systems. The study was conducted at Kishoreganj Sadar Upazila of Kishoreganj District, Netrokona Sadar Upazila of Netrokona, Bogra Sadar Upazila of Bogra and Kachua Upazila of Chandpur District. The studies were conducted using a questionnaire guideline developed for measuring empowerment status. The study covered 32 Union Parishad (UP) under 5 Upazila of 4 Districts in Bangladesh. 107 number of representatives interviewed during this survey. Women were elected only for reserve seat. From the result it was found that 97% percent women representatives elected for the 1st time, and only 3% for the 2nd time, 82% women representatives came from housewife category, 28% respondents were involved participating in decisions for implementing the programs. Men representatives thought that the participation was 42% for women. It indicates gaps in cooperation as regards agenda domination in decision endorsement. Only 27% women representatives received training from Non Government organizations and 25% received orientation from Government agencies on Roles of UP members. The result also revealed that 73% women representatives feel that the lack of cooperation by men members is a barrier against women empowerment. According to them Government policy flexibility and clarity related implications is a big concern for proper women functionality, lack of awareness being common. According to the UP Act, 2009, there is a provision of 13 Standing Committees (SCs) in the UP to support the Parishad in ensuring transparency, accountability, and people's participation in planning and implementing for ensuring better governance and service. Government has instructed that women members should be president of at least twenty five percent of these standing committees. Women’s participation in decision-making process is one of the key components for their empowerment. However, the terms of reference of these committees and their operational modalities were not clearly specified.

Empowerment, Elected Women Representatives, Local Government, Union Parishad, Capacity, Participation, Training and Education

"Problems of Empowerment of Elected Women Representatives of Local Government in Some Rural Areas of Bangladesh", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.8, Issue 1, page no. pp262-271, January-2021, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2101034.pdf