'Ensure women empowerment to strengthen local govt'

Mashuda Khatun Shefali speaks at a meeting titled 'Ensuring the rights of women and their representation in local government' at Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the city yesterday. On her right are Prof Syed Giasuddun Ahmed and Shamima Sultana Shoma and on her left is Achhia Alam. Nari Uddug Kendra (NUK) organised the meeting.Photo: STAR

The empowerment of women in local government institutions can be ensured if competent women candidates come forward and take part in all local government elections, speakers at a view exchange meeting said yesterday.
Ensuring women empowerment is a must to strengthen the local government, they said and called on women to work efficiently to this end.
Nari Uddug Kendra (NUK) organised the meeting titled 'Ensuring the rights of women and their representation in local government' in association with Danida to discuss the proposals placed by a committee formed by the government to strengthen the local government.
The seven-member committee submitted its report to the government on November 13. It recommended earmarking 40 percent of seats in the local government bodies for women.
According to the proposed recommendations, women candidates will also be able to compete for the rest 60 percent of seats.
This is a landmark recommendation, said Sujon Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumder.
"If competent and eligible women candidates come forward and compete for the seats earmarked for them, the entire situation will be changed. Their spontaneous participation will also help ensure equal rights for women in society," he added.
Shah Kamal, deputy secretary of the LGRD ministry, said the government is going to take steps to implement the recommendations immediately.
The meeting also focused on the problems facing the elected women representatives in carrying out their duties relating to the local government affairs.
Women representatives from Union Parishad, Upazila Parishad, municipality and city corporations attended the meeting.