Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has announced that its women’s wing will hold a large rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in Dhaka on January 31, marking the first time the party plans to organize a mass gathering of its female leaders and activists in the capital. The announcement was made Tuesday by Jamaat’s Naib-e-Amir Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher at a press conference at the party’s central office in Maghbazar.
According to party leaders, the rally is being organized as a protest against alleged attacks, harassment, and intimidation targeting women activists of Jamaat during election campaigning across the country. Jamaat stated that the event is being led by its women’s wing and that further programs may be announced if the Election Commission and government do not respond to the situation.
At the press conference, Taher said Jamaat complies with the Representation of the People Order requirement for political parties to maintain 33 percent women’s representation. He rejected claims that women are given limited importance within the party and asserted that women activists are playing an active role in the current election campaign nationwide.
Taher also alleged that members of the BNP were responsible for recent attacks on women affiliated with Jamaat’s campaign efforts. He said women activists have been threatened and obstructed during political activities and called on authorities to ensure women’s safety during the election period.
Jamaat leaders present at the press conference included Assistant Secretary General ATM Masum, Publicity and Media Department Head Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, and member of the Jamaat Election Management Committee Oliullah Noman.
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