Effective Involvement of Elected Women Members in Local Government Structure : A Participatoty Approach
Empowering women representatives through capacity building for inclusive grassroots governance.
Effective Involvement of Elected Women Members in Local Government Structure : A Participatoty Approach
A Khan Foundation initiative designed to strengthen the participation and decision-making
capacity of newly elected women members of Union Parishads through participatory training,
follow-up workshops, networking, and monitoring mechanisms. The programme aimed to ensure
women’s effective involvement in local government structures and development activities.
Donors & Partners
Norwegian Embassy
Women’s Empowerment and Participation in Local Governance
Enhancing leadership, awareness, and decision-making roles of elected women representatives.
Encourage active participation of women members in local and national decision-making.
Increase awareness of rights and responsibilities as Union Parishad members.
Strengthen leadership skills for participation in development planning and implementation.
Create opportunities for interaction between women members and local administration.
Raise awareness about women’s rights protection mechanisms.
Promote involvement of women members in community development activities.
Establish networks among women representatives across the country.
The project focused on encouraging and facilitating women’s active participation in local and national-level decision-making processes by improving their knowledge, leadership skills, and understanding of Union Parishad responsibilities.
Improved Participation and Leadership of Women Representatives
Strengthened role of women members in Union Parishad decision-making and development activities.
Around 80% of women members reported participation in monthly and special Union Parishad meetings after training compared to 10–15% previously.
Increased involvement of women members in development planning and Union Plan Book preparation.
Improved transparency and accountability of women representatives.
Increased participation in health, immunization, family planning, and education programmes.
Strengthened women’s confidence and leadership abilities.
Formation of women-focused forums and networks.
Improved access to legal support and grievance assistance.
The project increased women members’ awareness, confidence, participation, and accountability within local government structures. Training helped women representatives actively engage in Union Parishad meetings and development programmes.
Women Leadership and Governance Development Interventions
Building knowledge, skills, and institutional support for women representatives.
Governance and Union Parishad management training.
Gender equality and women’s rights awareness.
Leadership development sessions.
Legal awareness and counseling.
Monitoring cell development.
Women member forums.
Newsletter publication for information sharing.
Community development awareness activities.
The project implemented participatory approaches combining training, information sharing, monitoring, and advocacy to strengthen women’s role in local governance.
Capacity Building and Participatory Training Activities
Training, networking, monitoring, and advocacy for newly elected women members.
One-day basic training workshops at district level.
In-depth follow-up training programmes in Dhaka.
Training of trainers programme.
Development of monitoring mechanisms.
Formation of Thana and District Forums.
Legal counselling and awareness activities.
Publication of quarterly newsletter “Trinamul”.
Networking among newly elected women members.
Education visits and exposure activities.
The programme used participatory workshops and follow-up training to equip women representatives with governance knowledge, leadership skills, and practical tools for effective participation in Union Parishad activities.
Newly Elected Women Members of Union Parishads
Women representatives participating in grassroots local governance.
Newly elected women members of Union Parishads.
Rural women communities.
Local government institutions.
Women and children benefiting from improved community programmes.
Grassroots citizens benefiting from stronger local governance.
The primary beneficiaries were newly elected women members of Union Parishads across Bangladesh who received training and support to perform their roles effectively.
Gallery & Highlights
Advocate Rokhsana Khandakar at a one-day workshop in Chapai Nawabganj.
Some of the participants at the one-day workshop in Chapai Nawabganj.
Participants in a one-day workshop in Chapai Nawabganj are presenting their group work.
Advocate Rokhsana Khandaker, Executive Director of the Khan Foundation, is speaking at a one-day workshop in Cumilla.
Some of the participants at the one-day workshop in Cumilla.
Participants of the one-day workshop in Comilla are busy with group work
Executive Director (center) at a one-day workshop in Cox's Bazar.
Some of the participants at the one-day workshop in Cox's Bazar.
One of the participants is delivering a speech at a one-day workshop in Cox's Bazar.
Some of the participants at the one-day workshop in Dinajpur.
At a one-day workshop in Dinajpur: Advocate Rokhsana Khandaker, Executive Director of Khan Foundation, alongside Mr. Joris Beerda Croes from the Embassy of the Netherlands.
Mr. Joris Beerda Croes from the Embassy of the Netherlands speaking at a one-day workshop in Dinajpur.
Speaking at a one-day workshop in Gaibandha—alongside is Advocate Rokhsana Khandaker, Executive Director of the Khan Foundation.
A participant is asking a question during the Q&A session at a one-day workshop in Gaibandha.
A Part of Participants
Advocate Rokhsana Khandakar, Executive Director of Khan Foundation, speaking at a one-day workshop in Jamalpur.
A section of the participants at the one-day workshop in Jamalpur.
A portion of the participants in the one-day workshop in Jamalpur
Advocate Rokhsana Khandakar at a one-day workshop in Jashore in 1995; beside her is Mr. Saidul Haque, Deputy Director, NILG.
One-day workshop in Jashore, 1995 Participants engaged in group work
A participant is asking a question at a one-day workshop in Jashore in 1995.
Delivering a speech at a one-day workshop in Noakhali in 1997; seated beside is Advocate Rokhsana Khandaker, Executive Director of the Khan Foundation.
Some of the participants at a one-day workshop in Noakhali in 1997.
