DHAKA, Jan 5, 2024 (BSS)- When it comes to participation in the affairs of local government bodies women are less involved. There has been an encouraging steep in women participation in politics, affairs of local government bodies, parliament and others fields in the last three decades. Noticibly, the female participation particularly in union parishad (UP) polls has increased compared to male in recent years.

 Even, they were elected as chairman in many UP elections defeating their rival male candidates. Women candidates are less educated and experience, on average, compared to male candidates. Despite their limitations, women have been fighting hard to salvage their battered social image, created without strong logic, to ensure their greater stay in leadership.

Election Commission sources said elections were held at 4,087 Union Parishads in six phases from February to June in 2016. Of those UPs polls, 26 women candidates won in chairman posts. The rate of winning of women is 0.64 percent.

The tenth UPs polls were held from June 2021 to February 2022. A total of 4,058 UPs polls were held during the period. Of those polls, the women candidates won in 45 chairman posts. Now, the rate of winning of women is above one percent.

The EC officials are seeing the increase of women representatives in local government polls as positively. They said that the number was very few even 10 years ago. Even many women contested individually. Among the 45 winners (women chairmen), many were independent candidates.

 
The official sources said the Representation of the People Order stipulates that 33 percent women should lead the committees at all levels of the parties. Most of the political parties are implementing the provision. For this, the number of women chairmen is increasing.

In the tenth UPs polls, the women chairmen are Morsheda Akther (Awami League) from Tetelgathi of Morelganj of Bagerhat, Bishakha Shaha (individual) of Joynagar of Kolaroa, Mafhia Akthar (individual) in Baro Darga of Pirganj in Rangpur, Alfatun Nessa (Awami League) in Boalia in Naogaon Sadar, Hasna Hena (Awami League) in Moghi of Magura Sadar, Tanzin Nahar Sonia (Awami League) in Badarpur of Patuakhali Sadar, Nazmun Nahar (Awami League) in Bhatshala in Sherpur Sadar, Tahamina (Awami League) in Dewli of Delduar of Tangail, Mowshumi Haque Sultana (individual) in Laxmipur in Kalkini upazila in Madaripur, Putul Rani Das (Awami League) in Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria, Khodseta Begum Rina (Awami League) in Dakkhin Mithachari in Ramu of Cox's Bazar, Monowara Begum (individual) in Shivchar in Madaripur, Nadira Rahman (individual) in Tangibaria in Barishal Sadar, Baby Rani Das (Awami League) in Jolla in Ujirpur, Beauty Shikdar (Awami League) in Shokthogoger in Razarpur of Jhalakathi, Jesmin Akther (Awami League) in Shiddhakathi in Nalshiti, Sharmin Jahan (Awami League) in Amragachia in Mathbaria of Pirojpur, and Sohely Parvin (Awami League) in Arpangashia of Amatali in Barguna.

Besides, Sultana Jahan (Awami League) in Astamanisha in Bhangura of Pabna, Panna Khatun (Awami League) in Sobdalpur of Sripur in Magura, Nazmin Begum (Awami League) in Lohagara of Narail, Sanzida Akther (Awami League) in Malkhanagar in Sirajdikhan in Munshiganj, Shefali Akther (Awami League) in Baniboho of Rajbari Sadar, Rafeza Begum (Awami League) in Amtali of Kotalipara in Gopalganj, Milia Aminul (Awami League) in Barni of Tungipara, Umme Ruma (Awami League) in Sonagazi of Feni, Bilkis Jahan (Awami League) in Hadira of Gopalpur in Tangail, Jesmin Nahar Rani (Awami League) in Meduari in Bhaluka of Mymensingh, Shirin Chowdhury (Awami League) in Agla of Nawababganj in Dhaka, Reshma Akther (Awami League) in Joykrishnwapur, Telina Sarker Himu (Awami League) in Boirchuna of Pirganj, Sonita Nasrin (Awami League) in Nimgachi in Dhunat of Bagura, Chania Sabur (Awami League) in Rayganj in Belkuchi of Sirajganj, Nurjahan Begum (Awami League) in Nimaichora of Chatmohar in Pabna, Anowara Khatun (Awami League) in Lakkhanpur of Sharsha in Jesshore, Poly Begum (Awami League) in Hamidpur of Narail, Ruji Haque (Awami League) in Maouli, Safia Parvin (Jatiya Party) in Krishnawnagar of Kaliganj in Satkhira, Farhana Afrin Munna (Awami League) in Purbo Borobhewola of Chawkaria in Cox's Bazar and Mahmuda Begum in Merongway in Dighinala of Kharachari have been elected as chairmen.

On the other hand, Nahid Sultana (Awami League) in Santahar of Adamdighi in Bogura, Ferdowsi Yeasmin (Awami League) in Ichali of Jesshore Sadar, Roksana Begum (Awami League) in Datta Bazar in Mymensingh, Taslima Akther (Awami League) in Moazzempur of Nandail, Hasina Mamtaz (Awami League) in Rajbari of Sreepur in Gazipur, Razia Swapna (independent) in Belabor of Narsingdi, Bilkis Banu (Awami League) in Kalimhar in Rajbari and Nasrin Sultana Dipa in Sukhair Rajapur Uttar in Sunamganj have also been elected as chairmen.

 
The number of Union Parishads is 4,574 in the country. Of them, the polls were held in 4,058 UPs while the Election Commission has declared the election schedules of 4,137 UPs.

Increased women leadership breaks the barriers women face in getting elected and also helps lessen the curse of dowry, repression on females and their financial hardship.