They also identified 'reserved seats' as one of the main obstacles to women's participation in development activities and observed that introduction of direct elections to the women's seats would have positive impact on local government administration.

The Khan Foundation organised the workshop on 'Active participation of the elected women members in local development' at its auditorium in the city, with State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selima Rahman as chief guest.

Former advisor of the caretaker government Rokia A Rahman was present as guest of honour while LGED Chief Engineer Shahidul Hasan as special guest. Foundation Executive Director Advocate Rokhsana Khandkar presided.

Begum Selima Rahman said the provision of reserved seats hinders effective participation of women in the development programme.

She called on the political parties to nominate more women so that they can contest directly in the general elections.

She said women can expedite the pace of development as they do not resort to corruption.

Rokia A Rahman said that Bangladesh has been a model in terms of women's progress in today's world and the micro-credit programme for women has been acclaimed worldwide.

She called on women to come forward to make sure their active participation in the development programmes and work together with the men.

ADB representative Ferdousi Sultana and Prof. Dalim Chandra Barman of Dhaka University also spoke.

Women members of the Union Parishads, women Ward Commissioners of Dhaka City Corporation, lawyers and members of the civil society attended the workshop.