(From left) Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman, lawmaker Shagufta Yasmin Emily, TIB trustee board Chairman Sultana Kamal and lawmaker Nilufar Chowdhury Moni at a discussion in the city's Brac Centre Inn.Photo: STAR

While women's participation in the country's development process has increased, their effective role and equal rights for them remains a far cry, said noted speakers at a discussion yesterday.
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) organised the discussion on the role of women representatives in ensuring good governance at local level, on the eve of International Women's Day, in the city's Brac Centre Inn.
TIB Senior Manager Md Shariful Haq, presenting the findings of a research, said over 14,000 women representatives were present in the country's union parishads and pourasabhas (municipality).
But they cannot play an active role and deliver the desired service due to non-cooperation from their male counterparts, legal constraints, lack of congenial atmosphere and awareness, he said.
Dalia Khatun Rikta, a councillor of Bogra municipality, said women could not play an effective role due to non-cooperation from their male counterparts, financial inability and lack of minimum logistic support.
TIB Board of Trustees Chairman Sultana Kamal said women had been taking part in development activities since time immemorial but the problem lies with the patriarchal mindset of not ensuring equal partnership.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said though participation of women in governance system had increased remarkably, it did not occur in a meaningful manner.
Lawmakers Shagufta Yasmin Emily and Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, National Institute of Local Government Director Akramul Haq, Prof Zerina Rahman Khan of Dhaka University and Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation President Nazma Akter also spoke at the discussion, chaired by Sultana Kamal.