Bangladesh elections spark demand for real women’s rights policies, not just symbols
Ahead of Bangladesh’s upcoming Jatiya Sangsad elections, calls are growing for political parties to take clearer stances on women’s rights. At a recent event organised by Women in Democracy, activists and leaders stressed the need for concrete policies on women’s empowerment rather than symbolic gestures. The discussion also highlighted how women’s clothing, particularly debates over the hijab, has become a recurring political issue during election campaigns.
The event focused on reviewing election manifestos from a women’s perspective. Nahid Islam, a prominent figure in the July Revolution and coordinator of the National Citizens’ Party (NCP), proposed that all parties explicitly outline their positions on women’s emancipation before the election. He argued that vague commitments were no longer sufficient.
Samantha Sharmeen, senior joint convener of the NCP, pointed out a persistent gap in representation. While women have led street protests and grassroots movements, she noted, they remain underrepresented as election candidates. The NCP itself nominated six women, but Sharmeen admitted this was due to coalition agreements rather than a strong party policy on gender balance. Other speakers echoed concerns about superficial progress. Activists criticised the tendency to reduce women’s issues to debates over clothing, such as the hijab, instead of addressing systemic barriers. They demanded substantive policies on political participation, economic opportunities, and legal protections for women.
The push for clearer commitments comes as Bangladesh prepares for national elections. Women’s rights groups are now pressuring parties to move beyond rhetoric and deliver actionable plans. How parties respond could shape both the election discourse and future policies on gender equality.
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