Women’s participation in politics sees significant growth

Women are now playing a more prominent role in Bangladesh’s parliament and across a wide range of sectors, reflecting the country’s broader progress in empowerment and inclusion, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, said on Wednesday.

The Speaker made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a delegation from UN Women Bangladesh led by its Representative, Gitanjali Singh, at his office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.

During the discussion, Hafiz Uddin Ahmad said the increasing presence of women in the Jatiya Sangsad mirrors their expanding participation in political parties and other areas of national life. He noted that women have been making significant contributions to the country’s development, particularly in the garment sector as well as other important fields.

According to a press release, the Speaker said that 49 out of the 50 women members nominated to reserved seats in the current parliament have already joined the ongoing budget session. He added that women lawmakers with professional backgrounds in medicine, economics, engineering and law are actively contributing to parliamentary proceedings and legislative activities.

Addressing issues relating to women’s and children’s protection, the Speaker said the government attaches the highest importance to preventing violence against them and treats such incidents with utmost seriousness. As an example, he referred to the recently concluded trial in the widely discussed Ramisa murder case, which was completed within one month.

He also highlighted a number of government initiatives designed to support women from disadvantaged families, including the distribution of Family Cards to housewives and Farmer Cards to eligible beneficiaries. These programmes, he said, are expected to further advance women’s empowerment and strengthen their economic participation.

Speaking at the meeting, UN Women Bangladesh Representative Gitanjali Singh said Bangladesh has made notable progress compared to many countries in South Asia in areas such as women’s rights protection, gender equality, women’s empowerment, prevention of violence against women and children, access to justice, participation of women in political and economic activities, and the promotion of inclusive democracy.

Among those present at the meeting were Secretary of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiyan and UN Women Bangladesh Deputy Country Representative Nabanita Sinha.