Abstract
In addition to describing the evolution and outlining the changes in the local government system across different historical periods this chapter also deals with an analysis of different reform initiatives intended to enhance women’s political participation at the local level in pre- and post- independent Bangladesh. Analyzing different laws, the chapter argues that the existing local government structure of Bangladesh had its origin in British rule and remained almost the same, with only a few changes incorporated into its structure. It is also argued that the Bangladesh government has used “changes in the structural design” as one of the most convenient ways of incorporating women in the political process since independence. For this reason, changes were incorporated into the structure of UPs (Union Parishads—the local government councils) every now and then. It is again argued that the Act of 1997 has proved to be a breakthrough in women’s political participation in Bangladesh, since it introduced the system of direct election in women’s reserved seats and provided for defined constituencies for women’s seats.
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Notes
- 1.
Bangladesh was part of British India then.
- 2.
The military ruler who staged a coup d’etat in 1958 used to believe that the intellect of the Pakistani people was not suited to a Westminster-type representative government. The regime was in favor of a guided democracy, which was to be characterized by authoritarian government at the top and representative government at the local level. This variety of local government was known as “basic democracy.” This local government system became unpopular in the then East Pakistan and faced vehement criticism. Later, the system was dissolved by General Yahiya Khan when Ayub Khan was overthrown from power in 1969 (Siddique 1994).
- 3.
A major change transpired in the local government system through the introduction of the Local Government (Upazila Parishad and Upazila Administration Reorganization) Ordinance in 1982. This was followed by the Local Government (Union Parishads) Ordinance in 1983, the Local Government (Zila Parishads) Act in 1988, and the three Hill Districts Acts and Palli Act in 1989.
- 4.
The parliamentary election of 1991 had been considered as a relatively fair election since it was held under a nonpartisan caretaker government and was praised by international election observers.
- 5.
The parliamentary election of 1996 was also held under a nonpartisan caretaker government, which was praised by international election observers.
- 6.
Due to political turmoil centering on the issue of the caretaker government, the Army-based caretaker government took over the state responsibility on Jan 11, 2007 and ruled the country until democratically elected the AL led grand alliance government took over the state power on Jan 6, 2009.
- 7.
Among different changes, the most controversial one was the revival of the obligatory advisory role of the MPs for the UZPs.
- 8.
The eight city corporations are Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi, Barisal, Sylhet, Rangpur, and Comilla. However, elections for the Rangpur City Corporation are yet to be held.
- 9.
For more details about nationalism in India, consider referring to Jayawardena (1982, pp. 77–103).
- 10.
These members include Begum Jahanara Shah Nawaz, and Mrs. Radhabai Subbarayan (Forbes 2002).
- 11.
Among these 56 women, 41 were elected in reserved constituencies, 10 in general seats, while 5 were nominated (Forbes 2002).
- 12.
The Indian independence movement was a series of revolutions by the people of British India put forth to battle the British Empire for complete political independence. The term “Indian independence movement” is fairly diffused, incorporating various national and regional campaigns, agitations, and efforts of both nonviolent as well as militant philosophy. It likewise involved a wide spectrum of Indian political organizations, philosophies, and movements which had the common aim of ending the British colonial authority, and other colonial administrations in the Indian subcontinent. The movement culminated in the independence of the subcontinent from the British Empire and the formation of India and Pakistan in August 1947.
- 13.
The Pakistan movement or Tehrik-e-Pakistan is a name given to the movement carried out by Muslims of British India to create a separate homeland for Muslims out of British India. This struggle was led by the Muslim League and resulted in the partition of the British Empire in India into India and Pakistan, with Pakistan including West Pakistan (Pakistan) and East Pakistan (Bangladesh). Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the head of the movement (http://english.turkcebilgi.com/Pakistan+Movement, accessed on 12 Feb 2013).
- 14.
Subsection (3) was substituted for the former subsection (3) by Ordinance No. III of 1989, s.2.
- 15.
Provision for the constitution of standing committees has been incorporated in the Article 38 of the Local Government (Union Parishads) Ordinance, 1983. Article 38 stated that (1) “the Union Parishad shall, at its first meeting, in each year, or as soon as may be at any meeting subsequent thereto, constitute Standing Committees for dealing with (a) finance and establishment; (b) education; (c) health, family planning, epidemic control and sanitation; (d) audit and accounts; (e) agriculture and other development centers; (f) social welfare and community centers and (g) cottage industries and co-operatives. (2) The Union Parishad may, with the previous approval of the Deputy Commissioner, constitute additional Standing Committees for such purpose as may be prescribed by regulation. (3) A Standing Committee shall elect one of its members, to be its Chairman (4) A Union Parishad may co-opt a person of either sex who is not a member of the Parishad but who may in the opinion of the Parishad, possess special qualifications for serving on any Standing Committee; and such member shall not have any right to vote at meetings of the Standing Committee but shall be deemed to be member thereof for all other purposes.” (Government of Bangladesh 1983, Article 38).
- 16.
BDTK is the name of the local currency (“Bangladeshi Taka”). USD 1 equals to about 82 BDTK.
- 17.
Since its inception in the mid-1970s, the VGDP has been extended nationwide. It is largely a relief-oriented program with limited provision for the longterm economic development of vulnerable sections of the population. Under the program, destitute women are identified and provided with VGD cards to secure food support from the UP (council)—the lowest tier of the local government. The overall objective of the VGDP is to improve the socioeconomic conditions of the poorest, distressed, and most disadvantaged women to keep them above the hard-core poverty level.
- 18.
Women-focused programs refer to those development programs that target only women. Gender-sensitive programs refer to programs that benefit both women and men. Programs that do not have any direct impact on women’s life are treated as gender-blind programs.
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Panday, P.K. (2013). Local Government Reform Efforts: A Perspective of Women’s Political Participation. In: Women’s Political Participation in Bangladesh. Springer, India. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1272-0_3
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