Bangladesh’s political scene is predominantly male-dominated, reflecting a society that hinders female involvement in politics, leading to low representation of women in political parties at all levels. For the upcoming February 12 elections, out of 2,568 nomination papers submitted, only 109 are female candidates, making up just 4.2% of the total candidates. Among these, 72 are party-supported, while 37 are running independently, indicating a lack of party backing for one in three female candidates.
The report highlights that among the 50 political parties participating in the elections, 30 have not nominated any female candidates, despite women constituting more than half of the country’s population. Notably, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Bangladesh Socialist Party (BSP) lead with only 10 female candidates each. Surprisingly, the radical Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami has not fielded any female candidates among its 279 nominees for the upcoming election.
Despite an agreement to nominate at least 5% women candidates, most political parties seem to have fallen short of this commitment. The report emphasizes the minimal participation of women in Bangladesh’s political sphere, with few actively involved in politics, running as candidates, or engaging in campaign activities. The societal norm, lack of visibility, and the use of force in elections further discourage women from entering the political arena.
