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VOL. 7, ISSUE 3 (2025)
Leaving no one behind through women’s leadership: How elected women representatives become agents of inclusivity in local governance?
Authors
Nafisa Sultana
Abstract
The principle of “leaving no one behind
(LNOB)” lies at the heart of contemporary global development commitments. It
requires that those who are most excluded from decision making become visible
and heard. Elected women representatives (EWRs) in local governance are
uniquely positioned to translate this principle into action. This paper
examines how such representatives can act as agents of inclusivity, moving
beyond mere presence in elected office to substantive influence over policies
and resources that affect the most marginalized women and girls. The paper
adopts a qualitative, conceptual methodology based on a critical synthesis of
existing literature and documented cases from multiple contexts. It does not
present new primary data but instead analyzes patterns of success and failure
to derive a practical framework. The argument proceeds in three stages. First,
the paper reviews evidence that when women hold leadership positions, women in
the community come forward with their needs, and governance becomes more
responsive to issues such as water, sanitation, health, nutrition, and safety.
Second, the paper identifies persistent barriers that prevent many elected
women representatives from acting effectively. These barriers include proxy
rule by male relatives, lack of political and administrative skills, unpaid
care work, limited safe mobility, and everyday patriarchal hostility.
Ultimately, these constraints create a gap between formal inclusion and real
influence, a gap where the promise of leaving no one behind is routinely
broken. In this context, the paper argues that elected women representatives
can become genuine agents of inclusivity only when three conditions are met.
First, they require sustained, collective capacity building that builds confidence,
legal literacy, and solidarity, not merely one-off technical training. Second,
they need strong linkages with women’s organizations and self-help groups that
provide accountability, protection, and a direct channel from marginalized
communities to decision makers. Third, monitoring systems must shift from
counting how many women are elected to tracking whether they actually influence
decisions, whether marginalized women report being heard, and whether public
resources reflect women's stated priorities. The paper contributes a practical
framework for moving beyond symbolic representation to substantive inclusion.
It reframes elected women representatives not as passive beneficiaries of
quotas but as active agents who can, when properly supported, ensure that the
furthest behind are no longer forgotten. The conclusion offers actionable
recommendations for policy makers, civil society organizations, and
international partners committed to leaving no one behind.
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Pages:63-70
How to cite this article:
Nafisa Sultana "Leaving no one behind through women’s leadership: How elected women representatives become agents of inclusivity in local governance?". International Journal of Sociology and Political Science, Vol 7, Issue 3, 2025, Pages 63-70
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