Desk Report: The presence of women in key administrative positions in Bangladesh is growing, with more female officers taking on leadership roles in both field and central administration.
According to the Ministry of Public Administration, currently, 18 women serve as deputy commissioners (DCs), 158 as upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs), 63 as additional deputy commissioners (ADCs), and 141 as assistant commissioners (AC land). Additionally, women are making strides in central administration, with at least 14 women serving as secretaries, including one senior secretary. Furthermore, 69 women hold the rank of additional secretary, 173 are joint secretaries, 390 are deputy secretaries, 668 are senior assistant secretaries, and 306 serve as assistant secretaries.
Women are leading field administration across the country, although some regions still lack female representation in key positions. Among the 18 female DCs, Dhaka has the highest number with six, followed by Rajshahi with four, and two each in Chattogram, Mymensingh, Rangpur, and Khulna. However, Barishal and Sylhet divisions currently have no female DCs.
In terms of female UNOs, Chattogram leads with 33, followed by Dhaka with 32, Khulna with 28, Rajshahi with 25, Sylhet with 13, Mymensingh with 11, and Barishal and Rangpur each with 8.
Despite the progress, female officers continue to face unique challenges in leadership roles. Banani Biswas, the DC of Netrokona, acknowledged the difficulty of the role, particularly as a woman. “Serving as a DC is challenging for both male and female officers, but as a woman, it’s even more difficult. We need to improve the skills of women and work towards changing societal mindsets,” she said.
Faizul Wasima Nahat, the UNO of Kalmakanda upazila in Netrokona, shared her struggles with acceptance: “As a female officer, I face double the challenges. People are still not accustomed to seeing women in the UNO’s chair. Acceptance is different for male officers, and it’s tougher for women.”
However, Farida Yesmin, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and a former UNO, had a positive outlook. She said, “While working in the field, I received respect from most people, which made the pressure of the job more enjoyable. Despite the challenges from local vested interests, I found that if you work with integrity and courage, no one belittles a female officer. In fact, the public encourages her.”
At the highest levels of administration, women like Zaheda Parveen, secretary (coordination and reforms) of the Cabinet Division, have made significant contributions. She attributed her success to strong family support, saying, “For a woman to be successful, the most important thing is family support. My parents raised me not as a girl, but as a child, which helped in my education and career. My husband’s support was also crucial after marriage.”
The rising presence of women in Bangladesh’s administration is a sign of progress, though the road ahead may still present challenges. The continued support and recognition of female leadership are essential for further empowering women in public service roles.