Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced that if it comes to power, it will merge Eden Mohila College, Begum Badrunnesa Government Women’s College, and the Bangladesh College of Home Economics to establish what it claims would be the world’s largest women’s university. The announcement was made on January 20 at the party’s Policy Summit 2026, held at a hotel in Dhaka, where Jamaat Amir Shafiqur Rahman presented the party’s policy framework.
Alongside this proposal, Jamaat pledged to convert large colleges under the National University into full-fledged universities and emphasized merit-based recruitment across sectors. The party also outlined a range of economic and social commitments, including free healthcare for senior citizens and children under five, the establishment of 64 specialized hospitals nationwide, and interest-free loans for unemployed graduates and students.
While positioning the proposed women’s university as a step toward women’s advancement, Jamaat’s broader political stance on women’s participation raises critical questions. The party has recently confirmed that it is not fielding any women as direct candidates in the upcoming parliamentary election, framing women’s political participation as conditional rather than foundational. This contradiction highlights ongoing tensions between symbolic gestures toward women’s empowerment and structural inclusion in political power.
Jamaat’s policy agenda also includes tax and VAT reductions, a zero-tolerance stance on corruption, labor-focused industrial reforms, and large-scale youth employment and skills programs. In the ICT sector, the party announced “Vision 2040,” targeting job creation, digital exports, and a transition to a knowledge-based economy.
The Policy Summit was attended by political leaders, diplomats, academics, journalists, and representatives from international organizations. As Jamaat advances ambitious policy promises centered on education and development, feminist observers note that meaningful empowerment requires not only institutional expansion but also sustained commitments to women’s rights, representation, and decision-making power across all levels of society.
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