The traditional local governance system of the indigenous peoples of the hills and plains should remain in force, and the headmen or traders should be included in the local government system. At least one-third of women’s representation in these institutions should be ensured.

Year
2027
Reform Domain
Women Women
Sub Domain
Law and legal framework
Source of Reform Proposals
Women's Reform Commission Report
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Reform Initiated
Reform Initiated
Legal and Policy Framework
Legal and Policy Framework
Operationalisation
Operationalisation
Action Implementation
Action Implementation
Stage of Implementation
Reform Proposed
Reform Proposed
Last Update: 29-Jul-26
This reform proposal has been articulated in the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission Report. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s manifesto for the 13th National Parliamentary Election also included the following similar pledges: “Increasing women’s participation in policy making,” “Enhancing reproductive and mental health support,” and “Women’s social and economic empowerment.”
Observation
    The implementation of this proposal might require harmonising two distinct systems of local governance. Representatives of the traditional governance institutions of the indigenous peoples are selected in accordance with customary practices rather than through direct public elections, whereas representatives of local government institutions are elected through universal suffrage under the statutory local government framework. Consequently, implementing this proposal would require legal and institutional reforms to determine the role, status, and method of incorporating traditional leaders into the formal local government system while ensuring compliance with the existing legal framework. No publicly verifiable evidence has been identified indicating that the elected government has initiated such reforms.
Resources
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Glossary

Last Updated: 14th December 2025

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