Women in Local Government: AssessingRepresentatives’ Participation in Union ParishadDecision-Making in Bangladesh
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Abstract
Participation of women in governing and decision-making processes through gender-sensitive particular policies are prerequisites for achieving sustainable development in Bangladesh. Notwithstanding, Union Pariasd (UP) is a unit of the rural government of Bangladesh and has a history of hundred years, but women's active participation was ensured not more than two decades. This research study intended to explore women representatives' participation in local government's decision-making process where Union Parishad is a concentrating point. There was an attempt to find out the barriers of women representatives that they face in the decision-making process of UP and explore the participation status of women representatives. This research study was conducted through mixed methods, both qualitative and quantitative, where pre-structured open-ended, close- ended questionnaire interviews and key informant interviews with a total of 116 respondents.Moreover, this research used Oliver and Marwell's Critical Mass Theory and S. Walby's The Theory of Patriarchy. Therefore, the research findings were shown firstly functional barriers of UP, that women representatives faced as in ward shava, project distribution programs, budgetary process, fund allocations, local arbitration, and not having satisfactory participation; these functions women representatives have been facing functional barriers. Again, socio-economic and other barriers explored patriarchal social structure, male-dominated political organization, lack of family support, lack of skill, political consciousness, education, and economic dependency were significant barriers in this area. Therefore, the status of women's representation at this level is crucial and deserves special attention to improve their participation, so policies have to upgrade within trending demand.
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