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Strengthening women leadership in local govt stressed

. BSS, Dhaka
Emphasis should be given on strengthening women leadership in local government system for the greater interest of overall development of the country, speakers at a discussion said here on Tuesday.  They said the country's development process will go backward if the women were not empowered politically and socially.  Upazila Parishad Association of Bangladesh (UZPAB) and USAID under its 'Strengthening Democratic Local Government (SDLG) programme' jointly organized the discussion in the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry marking formation of its Rajshahi Divisional Committee.  Chief of Party of SDLG Dr Zerina Rahman Khan addressed the discussion as the chief guest with Charghat Upazila Chairman Abu Sayeed Chand in the chair.
Among others, UZPAB Central Women Committee President Rasheda Akter, Secretary General Kamrunnahar Luna, Organizing Secretary Maria Binte Khan and Executive Member Parveen Akter spoke as special guests.
Dr Zerina Khanom said substantial and sustainable development of the rural people particularly the women is the precondition to strengthen the power and responsibilities of the women public representatives.
She mentioned that ensuring good governance in the local government institution has become indispensable for elevating socio-economic condition of the rural poor and marginalized women.
Rasheda Akter, "We have no way but to ensure participation of the people's representatives in the civil services for betterment of the people in general."
About successful implementation of the government's uplift programmes she said women upazila vice-chairmen should be given responsibilities for overseeing the implementation process side by side with their male counterparts.
Most of the Women Upazila Vice-chairmen from all the districts under Rajshahi division were present at the meeting and they formed a 15 member divisional committee to expedite their organizational activities.
Bagha Upazila Vice-chairman Fatema Masuda Lota and Gurudaspur Upazila Vice-chairman Roksana Akter Lipi were made president and General Secretary of the committee respectively.