Equitable and Inclusive Engagement between Citizens and Union Parishads in Bangladesh to Increase the Value of Local Democracy and To Ensure Pro Poor Services

Posted: January 5th, 2023

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Abstract

The research seeks to illustrate how active, equitable, and inclusive engagement between citizens and the Union Parishads (Ups) can be improved to add value to democracy at the local level and advance services. It shows that the leadership of UPs fail to engage member of the public despite the existence of the Local Government Act (2009) that was formed with one objective being to hasten public participation in the governance of local governments. The study recommends educating members of the public about their rights and capacity to contribute towards local administration to achieve a community where the views of each person matter in how things happen. However, failing to engage citizens could derail democracy and possibly stagnate anticipated progress.

Key words: UPs, citizens, public, equitable, inclusive, engagement, and democracy

Equitable and Inclusive Engagement between Citizens and Union Parishads in Bangladesh to Increase the Value of Local Democracy and To Ensure Pro Poor Services

Introduction

Facilitating equitable and inclusive engagement of all citizens and the UPs is a vital aspect of promoting an expansion in the values of local democracy and the advancement of the provision of the needed resources and services. While substantial connections exist between the Union and public members, findings from this research reveal that certain factors inhibit proper coordination between the two sides. A practical case is evident in Bangladesh, where the realization of equitable and participative engagement between the UPs and citizens still lags in achieving the targeted goals. The problem is magnified by variations in power, obligations, and implementation of duties such as the execution of development projects. Thus, to realize equitable and inclusive participation, there is a need to enhance a sense of voice, dignity, rights, and the capacity to be part of UPs’ growth and development.

Statement of the problem

Whereas the Local Government Act (2009) requires that Union Parishads help people be part of administrative operations, leaders have remained adamant about changing, which has derailed the efforts to achieve equitable and inclusive participation between members of the public and UPs to elevate democracy and offer better services.

The rationale of the Research

For many years UPs have played fundamental functions in the provision of varying services at the local level. Nonetheless, a significant constraint exists that affects equitable and inclusive participation of citizens, which calls for some form of mitigation (Islam, Bhuiyan & Salam, 2019). It is apparent today that UPs have failed to achieve their aspirations, particularly about offering everyone the chance to receive relevant information based on the provision of the Local Government Act, 2009 (Sultana, Sikder, & Asif, 2021). Consequently, people do not get adequate information about what needs to happen to be active members of UPs to promote the welfare of local citizens. The situation is not any better at the community level, where people lack the chance to provide good public services. The challenge counters the objective of UPs in elevating the realization of a progressive and participatory society in Bangladesh. Even as UPs are formed with the progressive application and use of development structures, a limitation dampens the way people get the chance to participate in decision-making and development initiatives. Besides, unequal distribution of power is so severe to the extent that only those with significant influence have the opportunity to make decisions (Biswas & Roy, 2020). An effective way to address the problem is to embrace a powerful strategy that will enhance equitable and participatory engagement between the public and UPs to enhance the values of local democracy and foster better service provision.

Research Question

What can happen in the present context in Bangladesh to facilitate equitable and inclusive participation between members of the public and UPs to enhance values in democracy and service delivery?

Research Objectives

Broad

• To examine the level of equitable and participatory engagement of the public in UPs and find factors that derail active involvement.

Specific

• To gather opinions on more effective ways to share power and encourage the legal empowerment of people to participate in UP operations.
• To promote a strategy that restricts the available gaps between the public and the UPs that function under bureaucratic terms.
• To know the views of citizens on better mechanisms that would enhance engagement in UPs and foster value in local democracy.

Literature Review

Bangladesh has made significant strides in restructuring its society since forming local governments. The UP serves as the lowest level of local governance, which offers services to the public at the door step. It is the only level of governance to ensure proper governance, planning, execution, and accountability for rural settings in Bangladesh. The Local Government (UP) Act has formed an opportunity to promote enhanced engagement of people in the processes of development planning and execution (Uddin, 2019). The UP Act provides for thirteen Standing Committees to help the Parishad in promoting accountability and transparency, and to encourage people’s engagement. Inclusive participation in this sense refers to recognizing variations between individuals and groups, and is achieved when everyone feels accommodated, welcomed, and offered with practical chances to participate in governance (Uddin, 2019). The structure of UPs plays vital functions in facilitating how the agency works.

Nevertheless, evidence from various sources reveals that UPs in the country are void of certain vital features such as sameness and inclusive participation of the public in performing multiple functions. Uddin (2019) asserts that while local administrators have continued to play instrumental roles in providing services, engagement of the local population continues to lack. Uddin (2019) further reveals that lack of engagement and equity derail the attempts to form a robust democratic society. Thus, it becomes hard to maintain desired democratic levels and facilitate the realization of effective service delivery.

Various other scholars acknowledge the need for effective engagement between UPs and citizens in Bangladesh. Chowdhury (2018), for instance, asserts that the effective participation of locals in decision-making permits the realization of essential elements to local democracy. Chowdhury (2018) concurs that engaging the public in local governance will foster transparency and give every citizen the chance to share their views on administrative issues. Besides, Islam, Bhuiyan, and Salam (2019) and Prodip (2014) feel that even though local governments in Bangladesh have made significant strides through the UPs, it is essential to offer more opportunities for members of the society to play active roles to establish a vibrant community. Islam, Bhuiyan, and Salam (2019) think that informing people about what the law requires will play a vital role in promoting equity and participation. Therefore, relevant groups should continue advocating for sameness and reach information concerning active participation in local governance.

The people of Bangladesh, especially those in leadership positions, can follow the power theory proposed by Jo Rowlands, who has conducted a wide range of research on governments’ relations with the public. Rowlands, in her view, presents that allowing voice, dignity, and rights to prevail serve as the basis for the engagement of avoided groups (Rowlands, 2016). For example, Rowlands recommends offering those who belong to a lower social class the opportunity to reach resources and opportunities within their communities. The framework also proposes the need to champion the capability to influence decisions by administrators (Rowlands, 2016). The theory is essential in promoting equitable and inclusive participation between the public and UPs to promote value for local democracy and service provision.

Research Gap

Regardless of the attempts to show the evident gaps in achieving equity and equal engagement, the identified sources have apparent limitations in addressing features that derail equitable and inclusive participation between the public and UPs. The research conducted by Prodip (2014), for example, does not show the elements that will ensure administrators and citizens acquire relevant information and appreciate the need for equitable engagement. Furthermore, the identified literature does not give directions for future research that could guide researchers seeking to perform more studies in this area. Finally, most papers do not give clear connection between theory and practice by identifying how many authors write about how the UPs should work to engage the public yet that is not the situation in Bangladesh. Therefore, working to address the identified gaps will provide a base for the advancement of interventions to grow engagement between the public and UPs.

Research Methodology

The study uses the qualitative case study method, which entails gathering data from participants through a series of interviews. Moreover, secondary sources will give valuable information concerning the state of equity and engagement in UPs to provide insight into what needs to happen to mitigate the situation. Simple random selection will be used to acquire relevant participants across Bangladesh. The study will perform a qualitative data analysis process, and findings presented in a descriptive format.

Research Components

The components of the study will entail the provisions such as equal reach to information and members of the public’s charter. The Local Government Act highlights these two aspects that will be essential in filling the existing gap where equitable and inclusive participation between members of the public and local government authorities is absent (Sultana, Sikder, & Asif, 2021). Examining these two factors in the study is paramount because they will guide the development of vital features relating to the study. For instance, because reach to information as provided for by the Local Government Act requires that the UP secretary offers relevant information to all members of the public (Haque & Ullah, 2019), it will be utilized to identify the present loopholes that result in the absence of equitable and inclusive participation between the public and UPs. The other research components the study will consider include the recommendations offered by other scholars on how to achieve equity and inclusivity. For example, the study will examine about what some scholars say about refining existing policies about local participation and what others recommend about enlightening citizens. Finally, the other research component that will form part of the study is the attempts by local governments to achieve equitable representation and active participation. The study in this scenario will find out whether the local government has adopted any measures to engage citizens and whether they yield anticipated results.

Recommendations

The analysis reveals that it is imperative to find long-lasting methods for improving equitable and inclusive engagement between the public and UPs. Consequently, the paper recommends that citizens undergo adequate awareness to strengthen knowledge on the importance of taking part in local administration. Westergaard and Hossain (1999) believe that sensitizing the public equips people with relevant information about what they must do to participate in local governance. Other than creating public awareness, Westergaard and Hossain (1999) call for equal distribution of power should prevail to encourage decision-making. The identified recommendations will elevate how people perceive democracy and will hasten access to service delivery.

Conclusion

The study identifies a mismatch in equitable and inclusive participation between members of the public and UPs that need to be addressed using effective advocacy methods calling for equal power distribution between the two parties. Creating awareness among members of the public and leaders will present an opportunity to achieve full engagement and realize the provisions of the Local Government Act that gives much information about citizen charter and the right to access information. Embracing the suggested methods will also foster a condition that facilitates equitable and inclusive participation between local government and citizens. Consequently, it will be possible to promote the value of local administrations and enhancement of service delivery.

References

Biswas, B., & Roy, S. (2020). Service quality, satisfaction and intention to use Union Digital Center in Bangladesh: The moderating effect of citizen participation, PLoS ONE, 15(12), doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244609

Chowdhury, S. (2018). Democratisation of local government planning in Bangladesh. Commonwealth Journal of Local Governance, 20, 1-19. doi.org/cjlg.v0i20.6230

Haque, A., & Ullah, A. (2019). Crises of governance in governing Union Parishads of Bangladesh: A study on three selected Ups. Proshikhayan, 27(1), 11-26. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346581120_Crises_of_Governance_in_Governing_Union_Parishads_of_Bangladesh_A_Study_on_Three_Selected_UPs

Islam, M.S., Bhuiyan, M.S., & Salam M. F. (2019). Strengthening local government through participation and leadership: Bangladesh perspective. Journal of Public Administration and Policy Research, 11(2), 5-11. doi: 10.5897/jpapr2019.0444

Islam, T., & Islam, E. (2012). Barriers and scope of political participation of women in local government of Bangladesh: Union Parishad perspective. Journal of International Social Issues, 1(1), 71-85. https://www.winona.edu/socialwork/media/islam_islam_2012.pdf

Prodip, M. (2014). Decentralization and women empowerment In Bangladesh: Union Parishad perspectives. International Journal of Scientific & Technology Research, 3(12), 215-233.

Rowlands, J. (2016). Power in practice: Bringing understandings and analysis of power into development action in Oxfam. IDS Bulletin, 47(5). doi: 10.19088/1968-2016.171

Sultana, K.N., Sikder, C., & Asif, R. (2021). Review of local government (Union Parishad) Act-2009, major findings and analysis: A field study on Gobindopur Union Parishad, Muksudpur, Gopalgonj. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 26(3). doi: 10.9790/0837-2603070410

Uddin, N. (2019). Empowerment through participation in local governance: The case of Union Parishad in Bangladesh. Public Administration and Policy, 22(1), 40-54. doi: 10.1108/pap-10-2018-0002

Westergaard, K., & Hossain, A. (1999). Local government in Bangladesh. Journal of Social Anthropology, 49(2). 180-206.