Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, University of Barishal, Kornokathi, Dhaka-Patuakhali Hwy, Barishal, 8200, Bangladesh
Women’s leadership in political structures plays vital role in securing and empowering their interest and right in decision making as well as policy making and implementation. In Bangladesh, women are poorly presented in political positions and less influential in decision making process due to male dominance both in parliament and local government. Hence, the present government has undertaken various steps to ensure women’s development by accelerating their leadership power through vision 2021 and 2041 which are committed to attain gender equality and empowering women. The local government act, 2009 facilitates women’s leadership role in Upazila parishad, but the woman vice-chairman faces various challenges in leadership role due to socio-cultural constraints, structural deficiencies, capacity deficits etc. The study has tried to explore that challenges and also opportunities of upazila woman vice-chairman of Upazila Parishad following qualitative approach. With the inherent & dominant possibilities of leadership, women can ensure sustainable development of local government as well as of our country.
Women leadership, Women empowerment, Decision making, Upazila parishad, Local government
