March 10, 2025
DHAKA – Although the political landscape in Bangladesh has become more vibrant, with both old and new parties trying to woo the public with their promises, the scope of women’s political participation continues to be quite poor. The dominance of men in politics and the absence of any structural changes to address gender discrimination, which excludes women from exercising their political agency, are major deterrents. Furthermore, the unrelenting rise of violence against women—from rape to online sexual harassment—has created an unsafe environment for all women in general, even more so for those with political aspirations.
According to the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), nearly 12,000 women and girls faced torture and violence in the last five years. During that period, 1,089 women and girls were gang-raped, and 207 were murdered after sexual assault. At least 50 victims took their own lives due to the trauma they had endured. The latest incidents of moral policing, mob violence, and sexual harassment in public spaces targeting women, and the administration’s ineffectual attempts to punish perpetrators, have created an even more insecure environment for them. Added to this is the vitriolic online sexual harassment of women, whether they are journalists, activists, political figures, or celebrities, all of which discourage women’s participation in politics. And what is most disturbing is the perception of impunity due to the lack of enforcement of laws, which has emboldened perpetrators of violence against women.
We are encouraged by the fact that the new student parties have strong women leaders, although their numbers are still too few. These women face the daunting task of not only challenging the inherent male chauvinism of society but also making public appearances and raising their voices in an environment that is quite hostile towards women. The stark difference between women’s presence during the July uprising protests and today’s political rallies is telling.
The interim government must take stern measures to deter groups and individuals who believe they have a license to harass or attack women. Online harassers must also be brought to book. The government, through its law enforcement agencies, must create a safe environment for women in public spaces so that they can freely participate in politics—whether at protests, rallies, or simply walking in the streets without fear.
While security is a basic requirement for women’s political participation, structural discrimination and tokenism are major barriers. During the Awami League’s rule, women members of parliament were selected for their loyalty to the party rather than their leadership qualities. Without direct elections, the scope for developing effective women leaders was severely curtailed. The Electoral Reform Commission and the Constitution Reform Commission have proposed increasing the number of parliamentary reserve seats for women to 100 (from 50), with all seats filled through direct elections. This is bound to make a significant difference in the capabilities of women members of parliament. However, political parties must also honour the mandatory allocation of at least 33 percent of all committee positions to women—something that has been absent in major political parties. Bangladesh has much to gain from having more women politicians who earn their positions through merit rather than nepotism or dynastic politics.