DOT Desk: [2] Some 43.50 percent of 45 female upazila nirbahi officers in the country have faced various obstacles while taking action against corruption, says a new report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), reports The Daily Star.

[3] Such obstacles include pressure from local influential people, politicians, false allegations, and non-cooperation from the district administrations, upazila parishad chairmen, and law enforcement agencies concerned, the report says.

[4] Of the 45 female UNOs, 89.10 percent could take action against corruption, it added.

[5] TIB disclosed the findings of the report titled ‘Role of Women Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) in Establishing Good Governance at the Local Level: Challenges and Way Forward’ at a virtual press conference yesterday.
[6] An online survey for the report was conducted from June, 2020 to March, 2021.

As of June 2020, out of 485 upazilas in the country, 149 had female UNOs which is 31.1 percent of the total UNOs posted.

Although the TIB sent a set of questions to all the 149 female UNOs for the survey, only 45 had responded.

According to the report, 78.3 percent female UNOs faced different challenges while doing their duties.

Addressing the press conference, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the number of female UNOs shows an encouraging picture of woman empowerment in the country.