Shama urges parties to empower women politically

Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam has called for greater grassroots-level political opportunities for women, saying their participation is essential to national development and leadership.

She stressed that women should be able to engage in politics from the grassroots to prepare for national leadership and urged political parties to change their mindset and policies to increase women’s participation.

Speaking at the concluding dialogue on “Empowering Young Women in Political Leadership in Bangladesh” in Dhaka on Saturday Shama said women must be given greater opportunities to participate directly in politics.

The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) organised the dialogue under its “Politics Lab” programme, supported by the German political foundation Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).

“No development is possible by leaving behind 50% of the country’s population,” she said, stressing the need to bring more women into political leadership.

Shama said education strengthens women’s decision-making capacity, but they continue to face barriers in politics and society, including online harassment.

The state and government must take effective measures to address these challenges, she said.
“Women must move forward with merit and self-respect despite the obstacles,” she said, urging collective efforts for transparent and accountable politics.

CGS President Zillur Rahman said genuine inclusion required not only women’s participation but also their effective power in decision-making and resource use.

He called for a change in mindset so that women could work safely and with dignity in all spheres of society.

Speakers at the dialogue called for reforms in political party structures, an end to money- and muscle-driven politics, stronger measures against cyber harassment, and greater economic and social empowerment of women.

MP Johrot Adib Chowdhury, CPB Presidium Member Joly Talukder, AB Party International Affairs Secretary Barrister Nasrin Sultana Mili, NCP Joint Convener Monira Sharmin, FES Bangladesh Resident Representative Dr Felix Gredes and CGS Executive Director Parvez Karim Abbasi also spoke.
The event concluded with the distribution of certificates among young women politicians who took part in the “Politics Lab” workshops.