Political socialization: A window of gender balanced leadership

Women constitute half of the county’s population and a key factor in social, political and economic development of the country. Politics is a way of life that influences state, economy, society and every aspects of life. It is expected that this large portion (women) of population will actively participate in politics and government. In actual practice, women in Bangladesh still have a very long way to go before they can achieve political empowerment. Though in Bangladesh head of ruling and opposition party including speaker of parliament are women but that do not reflect the actual scenario of the grass root level of women leadership; especially in the local government bodies. Surely, there is an imbalance in ratio of women leadership at local and national level. Women blamed socio-economic constraints and complexities for their failure in leading local politics. Political culture at local level and lack of political socialization restrict women to participate and contribute in local level politics. Political socialization is a sense what introduce and sensitize a person about politics, government and ones role in existing political power structure of the society. Political socialization of women in third world countries like Bangladesh is impeded in various ways and very firstly it starts from family. Due to high power distance and masculine nature of the society of Bangladesh, generally family members do not allow females to show interest about politics. Sometimes due to determined gender role in our society women are brought up with an ideology that politics is for man and all kinds of political activities will be administered by man. Therefore, women’s role is to management of households. Form the very beginning of the childhood, a girl is taught not to be interested in political activities. This seriously affects women psychology and creates an imbalance in gender balanced leadership in all levels as women lost interest to be a leader. It is a great matter of sorrow that women are not entertained political socialization even in schools, colleges. As a result women think that politics is only for man and feel discouraged to take part in political activities. In some cases, against all odds those women who are involved in local or national level politics either well educated (have university degrees) or from local elite family (political/rich family). So, they are a bit politically socialized compare to women from lower-middle class families. Women’s participation in politics and willingness of leading are very few from lower or middle class families. Very few women participate and represent in local government bodies and remain as ornamental figure in these bodies due to negligence and discouragement of their male mates in these political organizations. These cause a serious impact on gender balanced leadership and results limited participation and representation in politics at local level.

Though Bangladesh government has already shown large scale improvement and political commitment towards gender balanced leadership by bringing women leaders in mainstream politics and government; still a hundred miles to go. Bangladesh is a signatory of CEDAW and participated in world women conference. There political empowerment of women is committed to be ensured by the participated countries. Even constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the following rights under article 28 and 29.

28(2) “Women shall have equal rights with men in all spheres of the state and public life.”

28(4) “Nothing in this article shall prevent the state from making special provisions in favour of women or children or for the advancement of any backward section of citizens.”

29(1) “There shall be equality of opportunity of office in the service of the republic.”

In parliament there are 300 seats of which 50 seats are reserved for women. In last national election held in 2014, only 19 women candidates won in the general seats against 300 seats. This indicates number of female contestants in general seats apart from 50 reserved seats in national parliament is very few. At the local level condition is worse than national level. Among 11 city corporations only one female mayor (Narayanganj) is elected. Women’s participation and their representation in local politics as a political leader is very limited. Until 1997, there was provision for nominated women members in local government bodies. Direct election for women in reserved seats was introduced in 1997 both in rural and urban local government bodies. A study revealed that nominated women members of local government bodies came from the local elite. All these figures indicate limited participation and representation of women leaders at local government bodies. Even there are problems lying with the elected women representatives also. There is a tendency of including women representatives in committees that are relatively less important. Even women representative show limited or no interest regarding these committees. Only a few women members are given membership in the special committees of local government bodies which dealt with food for work, vulnerable group feeding, roads, culverts, bridges, family planning and social welfare etc. A large majority has no membership in such committees or played a limited role. They do not engage themselves significantly and their male colleagues do not encourage them to do so.

In 2015, world leaders adopted the sustainable development goals, placing gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls at the heart of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Last year organizations and individuals around the world supported the pledge for parity campaign and committed to help women and girls achieve their ambitions, challenge conscious and unconscious bias; call for gender balanced leadership and create political socialization from the very beginning. 8th march is being observed globally as the international women’s day. This year the day is observed focusing on “women in the changing world of works.” In consistent with this perception this year women’s day is being carried out with a slogan “be bold for change.” Certainly our women need to be bold for changing the situation of gender biased political role. It is our duty to ensure gender balanced leadership at the local level. Therefore political socialization of women is a key component to increase women representation at local level. There is a proverb, says, “Charity begins at home.” So, it is high time we started politically socializing our women form our very own home. This boldness towards change will lead to more engagement of women leadership in socio-political structure of Bangladesh.

The writer is a Lecturer
Dept. of Local Government and Urban Development
Jatiyo Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University