Emerging Leadership Roles of Women in Rural Local Government: Experiences from Bangladesh

Abstract

The chapter argues that amidst women’s ceaseless struggle to strengthen their rights in the union parishads (UPs) of Bangladesh, women leaders have been able to make a significant difference in local governance. Against this backdrop, the author asks: What do women leaders do, and how do they contribute to transforming rural society? The chapter is based on qualitative research methods such as hermeneutical phenomenological analysis, in-depth case studies, content analysis, and observation. Using subjective judgment and interpretive analysis, the author finds that female UP members are being socially responsive amidst their constrained participation and ceaseless struggle in patriarchal society. Some woman leaders have been able to have a decisive impact in providing culturally suitable judgment for rural and vulnerable women using the platform of rural village court (called salish). The women leaders were also found to be highly sensitive and responsive to women’s issues and interests, and they were trying to serve women’s needs at the community level. Through involving themselves in transformative politics and through exercising their integrity, these women leaders were able to enhance safety-net benefits and promote development administration and governance. Some women leaders in the UPs emerged as supra-social workers with a strong commitment to uplift community welfare and social justice.