Table 6.12 Training and Perceptions of Assembly Members Regarding Gender Issues (percent) Question Have you received training with a gender component? Did you find the training useful? (percentage of those who received training with gender component) Do female district assembly members have the same advantages as male members? Do both male and female district assembly members have the same responsibilities toward women? Female members have special responsibility All members have equal responsibility How effective are female district assembly members in promoting the interests of women? Very effective Somewhat effective Not very effective Not at all effective
Male
Female
73 (n = 58)
80 (n = 10)
55 (n = 42) 80 (n = 49)
63 (n = 8) 100 (n = 5)
(n = 46) 46 54
(n = 6) 33 67
(n = 42) 67 29 2 2
(n = 5) 40 40 20 0
Source: ISSER-IFPRI Survey 2008.
result that had marginal statistical significance. Among those who believed that women were not effective in promoting women’s interests, one woman cited women’s inability to speak up as the reason for this. A male assembly member suggested that women had not organized into effective groups. Another male respondent felt that women “are not time conscious.” Gender differences in project implementation. The case study provides evidence on the role of district assembly members in implementing projects. As securing a project through lobbying and monitoring its implementation takes enormous effort and follow-through (and serving on the assembly is a voluntary position), assembly members appear to initially prioritize one or two projects. Although the projects chosen may come about through a confluence of factors external to the assembly member, the case study evidence suggests that the first projects chosen often seem to reflect a priority of the representative, perhaps a motivating force for seeking office in the first place. Given this prioritization, the female assembly members in the case study appeared to pursue what could be considered “women’s goods” more or more quickly than did the assemblymen. One worked first on securing grinding mills for four of her communities, on getting boreholes drilled for domestic water supply, and on securing credit for women’s groups. Another worked on improving the public toilets in her area. The third convinced women in her district to form women’s group and organized the rural enterprise officer to offer training on incomegenerating activities. At the same time, the female assembly members seek
THE LONG ROUTE OF ACCOUNTABILITY
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