The highest number of female officials are currently serving in the country’s most crucial field administrative posts, including deputy commissioner (DC).
Currently, female DCs are serving in 20 out of 64 districts, while female UNOs are in nearly two hundred out of 499 upazilas. Never before have so many female DCs and UNOs served simultaneously in so many districts and upazilas.
Among the eight divisions, Dhaka Division has the highest number of female DCs. Out of 13 districts in Dhaka, nine have female DCs.
Meanwhile, four female DCs are working in Khulna Division, three in Chattogram, two in Rangpur, and one each in Rajshahi and Barishal divisions.
Alongside DCs, the number of females in the post of upazila nirbahi officer is also significant.
Female officers of the administration cadre are leading 191 out of the country’s 499 upazilas, which accounts for nearly 39 percent of the total posts.
Similarly, out of 478 Assistant Commissioners (Land) holding crucial and sensitive responsibilities like land management, 116 are women, representing over 24 percent of the total officers.
Responsible officers of the cabinet division and the public administration ministry, which control the field administration, are describing the rise in female officers as a significant development.
Amidst this backdrop of female advancement, the government is observing Public Administration Day today.
The public administration ministry is hosting a large-scale event with the prime minister in attendance. The date for the event has not been finalised yet.
A maximum of 18 female DCs served at a given time during the tenure of the interim government.
Even 10 years ago, it was unfathomable that a female UNO would be serving in an upazila like Baghaichhari in Rangamati, said a joint secretary of the cabinet division.
“At one time, we had to think twice before assigning women to key roles in field administration.”
Many female officers were also reluctant to go to remote areas.
“Now, the situation has changed on both fronts. Since female officers have proven their capabilities in most cases, we do not hesitate to post them. As we receive positive feedback from the field, we do not have to think twice about posting women,” the officer added.
The increase in the number of female deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers in field administration is not just a numerical change, said Farida Khanam, the first female DC of Dhaka district.
“It is a reflection of efficiency, competence and inclusive leadership in state administration. When women’s participation in administration increases, it brings diversity to decision-making, improves the quality of service, and strengthens public trust,” she added.
One such case is the Sherpur DC office, where Azafar Ali, a resident of the district’s Nalitabari upazila, had a positive experience. Farida Yasmin is the Sherpur DC.
“I received nearly Tk 20 lakh as compensation for land acquisition in my mother’s name. I had heard that even with proper documents, one has to suffer a lot to get land acquisition bills. However, we are highly satisfied as the DC showed great sincerity during our compensation process,” he said.
Of the 1,085 officers currently serving in key positions within the country’s field administration, 332 are women, representing 30.6 percent of the total, according to data from the public administration ministry.
At the divisional level, the highest tier of field administration, five out of 18 additional divisional commissioners are female officers, which is nearly 28 percent of these posts.
However, there are currently no female officers serving as divisional commissioners, the highest tier of field administration.
Overall, women make up about 30 percent of those holding top-level positions in field administration.
There is also significant participation of female officers in key positions of the central administration.
Currently, 15 women are serving as secretaries or holding secretary-equivalent status out of 88 secretary posts across various ministries and divisions.
Among 361 additional secretaries in the administration, 73 are women, while 249 out of 1,051 joint secretaries are female.
On the other hand, 404 out of 1,643 deputy secretaries are women, while 986 out of 3,350 assistant and senior assistant secretaries are female.
