Women members in the local government (Union Parishad) : constraints and prospects

In 1997, the government of Bangladesh amended the Constitution of the Bangladesh to ensure that poor women (lower class) would participate in local government, it mandated that out of twelve members of Union Parishad, three women must be elected. The broad objective of this study is to examine the extent of the performance of women in Bangladeshi local governance. The specific research question of this study was the following to what extent are the women members in the Union Parishad performing their expected roles and responsibilities? For the study, data was collected from in-depth interviews and observations with Union Parishad\u27s women members, male members and UP chairmen, two focus group meetings with community members. These meetings focused on women Union Parishad members contesting in election. The study analyses women member activities, responsibilities and performance level in the Union Parishad. The findings reveal the relationship between women member and male member activity. Women\u27s subordinate positions, together with socio-economic factors are the main causes for this rise. The study also recommends macro level interventions with women member participation in local government