Understanding the Experiences of Female Members in Zila Parishad, Sylhet, Bangladesh

To encourage women to engage in Bangladesh politics, the local government unit introduced the requirements for reserving seats for women. For this, a district council was formed with a chairperson, and fifteen members, including five reserved seats for women. As a result, in the last four decades,...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Korima Begum
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: ACCB Publishing 2022-09-01
Series:Space and Culture, India
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.spaceandculture.in/index.php/spaceandculture/article/view/1280
Description
Summary:To encourage women to engage in Bangladesh politics, the local government unit introduced the requirements for reserving seats for women. For this, a district council was formed with a chairperson, and fifteen members, including five reserved seats for women. As a result, in the last four decades, it is evident that there has been an increase in women’s participation in politics and governance. This study explores the female members’ experiences of performing their roles as a member and promoting specific agendas and implementing them. Qualitative methodology was used in this research to assemble data by conducting an in-depth interview with female members looking at their experiences in four Zila Parishads in Sylhet Division, Bangladesh. The findings suggest that the Local Government of Bangladesh should not look at the existing provisions under the Constitution to increase the number of women in the public arena as an end goal but instead as a means to help accomplish gender equity. To achieve this, organisations and instruments of government must recognise a Bangladeshi woman’s identity beyond the vision of gender.
ISSN:2052-8396