The Nature of Political Empowerment and Gender in Local Governance: A Comparative Study of Dhaka City Corporation and Narayangonj Municipality

The study focuses on the fact that the role of women’s participation in local bodies is undervalued. Women ward commissioners claim that responsibilities are not specified clearly for them in the working circular by the local government Gazette. As a result, though women ward commissioners come to power through proper political participation and commitment, they cannot demonstrate their commitment to the public. Their working environment is constrained by the patriarchal nature of politics as well as by the psychological state of their male-counterparts. They also recognize that constitutional assurance is unable to ensure their effective participation as well as political equality. 1.