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Building the Capacity of Bangladesh Women as Leaders at the Grass Roots Bangladesh currently has about 12,000 elected women representatives to the Union Parishads (UPs), the lowest tier of local government. While many elected women representatives from the grass roots have entered public office at the local government level, their participation in the operation and decision making of the local administrative bodies remains insignificant. To help build the capacity of grassroot women leaders in local government to improve the performance of their roles and functions and also to promote more efficient and transparent public service, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided a regional technical assistance (TA) on Gender and Governance Issues in Local Government. Three well-known nongovernment organizations (NGOs)—Shushilan, BRAC, and Khan Foundation—helped implement the TA project in four districts of Bangladesh, namely, Jessore, Khulna, Bagherhat, and Shatkhira. "An aid package of garments was allocated for distribution through UP. The chairperson did not want to distribute to the poor. I convinced him to discuss the aid package with the UP members and to distribute the garments to the poor" A regional workshop, held at ADB headquarters in March 2004, highlighted the success of building the capacity of elected woman representatives, who mobilized development program resources through the ward and upazila (subdistrict) forums. The linkages established with line agencies through the Upazila Forum of the elected woman representatives have been significant in ensuring the poor’s access to state resources. The transparency of the process has improved targeting of the poor for poverty reduction programs. Social mobilization, increased government transparency and accountability, and poverty reduction activities have been undertaken. Through elected women’s forums in the upazilas and wards, 7,511 poor women and children received Vulnerable Group Program (VGD) cards; 646 widows were granted pensions; and 623 elderly men and women received their old age allowances. In addition, through the cooperation of government officials, NGOs, and woman representatives, 2,833 poor women were trained in various government programs. In addition, 8,961 poor women were employed from various government and nongovernment agencies through activities of the women’s forums. Woman members took an active role as mediators in local disputes and incidents of violence against women, mediating in disputes: 628 on dowry; 526 early marriages; 677 polygamy; 1,993 land disputes; 3,254 family disputes; 1,545 women and child repression cases; 1,091 divorce situations; and 30 instances of theft. The project established an interface between the public representatives and their constituencies and made the elected representatives more accountable to local communities. The ward and upazila forums of various stakeholders and the poor have improved accountability and transparency in implementing government programs at the local level. The Ward Forum deepened grassroots democracy and allowed the participatory process to strengthen local government. The Ward Forum meetings helped in targeting poverty reduction measures and schemes to the most vulnerable and needy, and increased their access to these programs. It provided “participatory poverty monitoring” at the local level. The process in the Ward Forum effectively checked leakage and monitored welfare programs directed at the poor. This Forum also provided a venue for the poor to express their problems, needs, and aspirations, to which various line agencies could respond. Women Speak UpA meeting of the Upazila Forum opens in Fakirhat with Dipali Chakravarti, an elected member of the Union Parishad (UP), as Chair and 20 other women members participating. Other participants at the Forum include officers from Upazila Nirbahi; social welfare, agricultural extension, fisheries, and livestock sectors; Local Government Engineering Department (LGED); Grameen Bank; and two nongovernment organization representatives. The meeting discussed a new government scheme to give the handicapped in rural areas increased access to microcredit. An engineer of LGED notes the presence of one woman member is necessary in all project implementation and that the chairpersons of all UPs have been informed that women must chair at least one engineering project. Momeena Begum asks how land revenue can be distributed to the landless. The Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) explains the application procedure in detail, noting that the allotment will be made in the joint name of the husband and wife and that UP requires a testimonial that the applicant is landless. Mumtaz Begum inquires on how to prepare her fishpond, and is advised accordingly. Haseena wants to know how to obtain loans for goat units and is informed of the scheme for loans and training. The conversation veers to other subjects. Binodini relates an incident in her village a few days ago when she intervened to stop the marriage of a 13-year-old girl. She wants the other women to support her in case of any retaliation from the boy's side. The UNO congratulates her on her initiative and assures her of protection. ________________________________
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