Author: Mumita Tanjeela
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no.GD-08-14
Year: 2008
Academic Program: Gender and Development Studies (GDS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 2008
Examination Committee: Philippe Doneys (Chairperson); Kyoko Kusakabe, Mokbul Morshed Ahmed (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: Women’s empowerment process can not be completed without political empowerment. Political empowerment includes representation, participation and taking part in decision making process within formal political structures. Local government institutions in Bangladesh have opened potential spaces for rural women in this regard. From 1997 onwards, thousands of women have left their household chores to be a part of the political system after introducing election system for women seats. Alongside the government many development partners, such as NGOs, women’s organizations and civil society, came forward to meet up the challenges faced by women as new members of the political realm. This research intends to reveal and assess the role of NGOs for women’s effective participation in Union Parishad (lowest level of local government of Bangladesh). A case study approach was adopted, taking three NGOs from four selected districts. In total, 48 female UP members were also selected to assess their participation level through questionnaire interviews and in-depth case studies. It is clear from the evidence collected that these actors have become a vigorous force for women empowerment in Bangladesh. Their activities directly and indirectly drove women’s political empowerment process at the grassroots level. NGO activities helped women develop a collective consciousness and collective identity to utilize women’s agency for enhancing their par ticipation. Despite this positive picture they still have to face several socio-cultural and structural challenges. Unequal mode of representation, lack of power and resources, the absence of proper guid ing rules and regulations and a tradition of gender hierarchy in the political domain hinders women’s effective participation. So, in or
Scholarship Donor(s): Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship
Note: A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development
Advisory: Full-text is available at https://library.ait.ac.th/ (accessible to local ip address only)
