At a dialogue held at the Election Commission building on Tuesday, women leaders and rights activists proposed increasing the number of seats in Bangladesh’s National Parliament from 300 to 600, with direct elections for women in half of those seats. They emphasized that ensuring women’s safety and participation in the electoral process is crucial for creating a truly democratic and gender-inclusive political environment.
Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori, stressed the need for direct representation rather than nomination-based systems. “We definitely want direct elections for women, whatever the method,” she said. “Only then can women play a meaningful role in Parliament.” She also warned that the country’s growing “mob violence culture” could discourage women from voting or running for office.
Dr. Fawzia Moslem, president of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, highlighted that political parties must avoid candidates with records of misogyny, communalism, or anti-liberation ideology. “To make elections gender-friendly, the mindset of everyone involved—from voters to officials—must change,” she said, urging special protection in areas prone to electoral and gender-based violence.
Activist Shirin Haque reiterated that population growth demands expanded representation. “Instead of 300 seats, we propose 600. Each constituency would have two seats—one open and one reserved for women,” she explained, voicing support for a proportional representation system. Maleka Banu, the organization’s general secretary, added that women candidates continue to face misogynistic attacks and intimidation during campaigns, calling on the Election Commission to ensure safety for both voters and candidates.
The dialogue, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and moderated by Acting Secretary KM Ali Newaz, also included voices like Mishti Ashrafun Nahar, who urged election authorities to ensure accessibility and protection for voters with disabilities. Participants collectively called for a national commitment to make the upcoming elections safe, inclusive, and representative of all citizens.
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