FACTORS AFFECTING WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT INSTITUTION: A CASE STUDY OF BANGLADESH PERSPECTIVE

Local government institutions of Bangladesh are conquered by the male representatives from the very beginning, as Bangladesh is a male dominated country. Generally, the women’s Participation in policy formulation and execution is neglected or denied by the existing structure of local government bodies for the long time. In this context, the aim of this study is to determine the factors that affecting on women participation in Union Parishad (UP: Lowest tier of rural local government) of Bangladesh. The study is entirely based on quantitative field survey where 250 female respondents from the rural areas of Bangladesh have been considered as sample. Independent sample t-test, validity and reliability test were done besides regression co-efficient. Through this study, it is found that the educational opportunity, economic freedom, religious values, societal norms and patriarchy are positively associated with women participations in Union Parishad. Besides that the societal as well as political perception of the respondents are also positively effects on women participation in Bangladesh. In this regard, the policy maker should address these identified factors sincerely in national policy making for ensuring the women’s participation in local government bodies.