Female UNOs fare well in Tangail

Eight female upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) out of 12 are dominating the field-level administration in Tangail district materialising the dream of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, who dedicated her life to education and the empowerment of women. ‘Sultana’s Dream’, a book written by Begum Rokeya whose birth and death anniversaries fall on Saturday, comes true in the district of 12 upazilas as the female UNOs have been discharging their duties efficiently with a view to achieving the targets of Vision 2021.

Tangail is the second district to have the domination of female officers after Narsingdi which boasts of setting an example of running the district administration of top posts like deputy commissioner and superintendent of police.

The 8 Tangail UNOs are Zinat Zahan (BCS 27th_batch) posted in Tangail Sadar upazila, Arifa Siddika (30th batch) in Dhanbari upazila, Dilruba Sharmin (28th batch) in Goplapur upazila, Mousumi Sarkar Rakhi (28th batch) in Sakhipur upazila, Asma Shaheen (27thbatch) in Nagorpur upazila, Ishrat Sadmin (28th batch) in Mirzapur upazila, Shamsunnahar Sawpna (30th batch) in Basail Upazila, Shahina Akhter (27th batch) in Kalihati upazila.

The duties of these female administrative officials involve coordinating the work of government officers and monitoring of NGO activities. They preside over monthly upazila coordination meetings and law and order evaluation meetings. They have to attend development and coordination meetings. Besides, they have to oversee development work.

Moreover, these female officials prevent early marriage, resolve social problems, work towards making upazilas drug-free, eradicate militancy, hold mobile courts as executive magistrates against drug peddlers, and check irregularities and criminal activities despite lacking judicial powers.

They are also entrusted with managing general administration, revenue collection, development work, education, social security, fight against crime, and disaster management. Their job also includes ensuring implementation and supervision of development work, distribution of khas land among the landless, establishment of shelter centres, and the selection of the right stakeholders of VGD and VGF cards. They also have to pay attention to the protocol of VVIPs.

When asked, Zinat Zahan said: “There are problems in field-level work. I consider them as challenges.”

Moushomi Sarkar Rakhi said: “I don't face any problems as a UNO. After all, work is work. Women can be as good as men in doing their jobs. The work sphere of women is expanding now. As a UNO, I have to attend many functions daily. We get logistical support and can perform our job properly.”

UNO Shamsunahar, echoing Ishrat Sadmin, said that she dreamt of strengthening the education system. Asma Shaheen said, “ I think women should play pivotal role in overall development.”

Dilruba Sharmin likes to work for the development of the professionals and stop drug addiction while Arifa Siddika is committed to stop stalking in the society.

Shahina Akhter said that she took bold steps against illegal sand quarrying that endangers the environment.

Earlier Narsingdi district had nine female officials posted as District Judge, Additional District Judge, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge, SP, Civil Surgeon, District Sports Officer and three UNOs.

 

Female UNOs fare well in Tangail

Eight female upazila nirbahi officers (UNOs) out of 12 are dominating the field-level administration in Tangail district materialising the dream of Begum Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, who dedicated her life to education and the empowerment of women. Sultanas Dream, a book written by Begum Rokeya whose birth and death anniversaries fall on Saturday, comes true in the district of 12 upazilas as the female UNOs have been discharging their duties efficiently with a view to achieving the targets of Vision 2021. Tangail is the second district to have the domination of female officers after Narsingdi which boasts of setting an example of running the district administration of top posts like deputy commissioner and superintendent of police. The 8 Tangail UNOs are Zinat Zahan (BCS 27th_batch) posted in Tangail Sadar upazila, Arifa Siddika (30th batch) in Dhanbari upazila, Dilruba Sharmin (28th batch) in Goplapur upazila, Mousumi Sarkar Rakhi (28th batch) in Sakhipur upazila, Asma Shaheen (27thbatch) in Nagorpur upazila, Ishrat Sadmin (28th batch) in Mirzapur upazila, Shamsunnahar Sawpna (30th batch) in Basail Upazila, Shahina Akhter (27th batch) in Kalihati upazila. The duties of these female administrative officials involve coordinating the work of government officers and monitoring of NGO activities. They preside over monthly upazila coordination meetings and law and order evaluation meetings. They have to attend development and coordination meetings. Besides, they have to oversee development work. Moreover, these female officials prevent early marriage, resolve social problems, work towards making upazilas drug-free, eradicate militancy, hold mobile courts as executive magistrates against drug peddlers, and check irregularities and criminal activities despite lacking judicial powers. They are also entrusted with managing general administration, revenue collection, development work, education, social security, fight against crime, and disaster management. Their job also includes ensuring implementation and supervision of development work, distribution of khas land among the landless, establishment of shelter centres, and the selection of the right stakeholders of VGD and VGF cards. They also have to pay attention to the protocol of VVIPs. When asked, Zinat Zahan said: There are problems in field-level work. I consider them as challenges. Moushomi Sarkar Rakhi said: I dont face any problems as a UNO. After all, work is work. Women can be as good as men in doing their jobs. The work sphere of women is expanding now. As a UNO, I have to attend many functions daily. We get logistical support and can perform our job properly. UNO Shamsunahar, echoing Ishrat Sadmin, said that she dreamt of strengthening the education system. Asma Shaheen said, I think women should play pivotal role in overall development. Dilruba Sharmin likes to work for the development of the professionals and stop drug addiction while Arifa Siddika is committed to stop stalking in the society. Shahina Akhter said that she took bold steps against illegal sand quarrying that endangers the environment. Earlier Narsingdi district had nine female officials posted as District Judge, Additional District Judge, Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge, SP, Civil Surgeon, District Sports Officer and three UNOs.