The history of local government in our region is very long and merits serious attention. Subsequent governments have made pledges to improve local governments but things are still in the doldrums. Actual development of local government in Bangladesh is less discernible. The phenomenon of women entering local government started essentially in 1976. Till that time there was no concept of women's empowerment in the decision making process. We were far behind in the world scenario at that time.

After the pronouncement of 1983 UP (Union Parishad) Ordinance, the situation improved marginally. But the overall mechanism was almost the same as the system developed during the British colonial regime and the subsequent Pakistani regime under Basic Democracy order. The situation drastically changed when the four successive international conferences on women were held and their implications compelled us to give consent as a signatory of treaties like CEDAW.

In 1996, the Beijing Conference was the biggest ever conference on women and under the guidelines and indicators of the Beijing Conference, women's empowerment issues impacted the whole world. Countries like Japan and India have taken steps to fill the quota for women in parliament. A significant number of women are represented in their parliament through direct election or through reserved seats.

In Bangladesh the situation is the reverse. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, the leading women's rights organization, has demonstrated for direct election to reserved seats in parliament for more than three decades. But last year, the present ruling coalition did a notorious job in retaining the power to select women outside of election, and they also increased the number from 30 to 45. This was a major blow to the women's community.

After three decades of opposing women's empowerment, in 1997 the government approved National Women Development Policy (NWDP) which was a landmark event in the history of Bangladesh. Women felt relieved, having attained their target after a long struggle. But luck has not always been on their side.

The present ruling coalition has changed some key elements of the 1997 NWDP without any discussions in parliament. They did not consult the women stakeholders or the women's rights organizations. It was done very mysteriously and surreptitiously. Ministry of Women and Children Affairs of Bangladesh has been unable to give a good explanation regarding the major changes in the NWDP. It was a very controversial event.

1997 was a major threshold for women because women participated in the local government elections at the UP level for the first time. The response that this political move evoked in women was very enthusiastic and spontaneous. That election opened our eyes to the fact that women are not interested in confining themselves to household chores only but would rather like to enter into the decision making process as well.

The following elections also showed similar results and 22 women were elected as UP chairpersons. But, sadly, women members are not treated fairly by their male counterparts. They were deprived, mistreated, misled, and they had to face physical abuse, mental pressure, and verbal castigation. This is very unfortunate. Our patriarchal attitudes are really a great hindrance to women's authentic empowerment.

The majority of men are not psychologically or emotionally prepared to share the multifarious tasks of nation-building with their female counterparts. They treat women as though they are only fit for household matters. So, our mindset should be changed radically.

As part of the empowerment of women movement, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad organized a two-day workshop a few months back in Dhaka with huge participation of women local government leaders from City Corporations, pourashavas, and UPs throughout the country. More than 300 elected women representatives participated in the workshop.

The workshop hammered the fact into us that local government women representatives are eager for an equal sharing of power. Their bold voices were very hard to defy. In recent times they fought for equal rights in Khulna and Sylhet City Corporations and finally won the case, thanks to the wise decision by the High Court.

These two events send out the message loud and clear that women can be equally dexterous and conscious regarding their political empowerment. They also gave some concrete proposals to the government:

• Monthly resolution will be adopted in the presence of the women members.
• Regular budget meetings have to be ensured with the consent of the women members.
• Transparent environment will have to be created so that women member know all policy issues regarding the local government ministry.
• Taking forced signatures from women for unscrupulous deals has to stop immediately.
• Women members shall be informed of the financial management of UP,
• Proper assignment of all development activities will be ensured and allocations for women should increase three times.
• Chairmen have to be deterred from concealing the circulars.
• Interference from the MPs at the UP level has to be checked, political favours have to be abolished, and finally, equal sharing of power has to be guaranteed.

Finally, if we want good governance then we should give emphasis on local government and create an environment for smooth functioning of their day-to-day affairs. Decentralization and devolution of power will not work if we fail to give them their rightful political power and guidance.

Local government is now in a feeble condition. Frequent circulars from the central government also create an unwholesome situation for local government. So, we have a long way to go before the local government achieves the autonomy it needs to function smoothly. Political will, on the part of women is a must in this regard. Women should be ever mindful of the fact that previous development only happened due to their political will.

Md. Azmal Hossain is Program Director, Advocacy, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.