Bangladesh is experiencing growing worries about the insufficient representation of women in its election procedures, despite having had two female Prime Ministers. Women’s rights activists have called on the Election Commission to ensure secure and gender-sensitive polls, citing concerns about violence and intimidation against women and minorities before the upcoming general election on February 12. The country’s newspapers have highlighted the minimal presence of women candidates in the elections, attributing it to systemic flaws rather than women’s capabilities.
Activists, including the Samajik Protirodh Committee, have urged the Chief Election Commissioner to guarantee equal voting rights for all citizens, irrespective of gender, religion, or social status. Women’s organizations have long advocated for enhanced representation in Parliament, emphasizing the need for more women candidates and reforms in the electoral process. Despite efforts to address these issues, the representation of women in the upcoming election remains disappointingly low at around 4.2% of candidates, according to reports.
Women’s groups have submitted recommendations to the Election Commission regarding candidate selection, electoral reforms, and the influence of money and power in elections. However, they claim that the Commission has been unresponsive to their demands, including the need for broader electoral reforms from a gender perspective. The committee has expressed concerns about the election environment, citing incidents of violence and intimidation targeting women, minorities, and disadvantaged groups in the lead-up to the polls.
