BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said women would be the most vulnerable if Jamaat-e-Islami came to power, alleging the party does not support women’s full political development or leadership. He made the remarks at a press conference at the BNP chairperson’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka.
Rizvi accused Jamaat of creating confusion during the election campaign and using abusive language against political opponents. Questioning the party’s views on gender roles, he asked whether child-rearing should remain solely women’s responsibility. He also said constitutional guarantees of women’s rights must be preserved and criticized Jamaat’s reported stance that women cannot hold the organization’s top leadership position.
Several women at the event spoke about harassment and threats. Jahangirnagar University assistant professor Dr. Nahrin Islam said women who speak publicly face severe online abuse and intimidation. A BNP worker from Rajshahi alleged she and her sister were physically assaulted while campaigning. Khadijat ul Kubra of Jagannath University Chhatra Dal described coordinated online harassment targeting women in opposition politics.
Speakers raised concerns about the use of religion in political rhetoric and the safety of women political workers. They emphasized the need to ensure women’s participation in politics and protection from harassment and violence during the election period.
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