Dhaka’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has drawn sharp criticism for failing to safeguard women’s political participation amid Bangladesh’s turbulent transition to elections. A report released Thursday highlights how this administration, despite its reformist promises, has not implemented concrete measures to ensure women remain in political decision-making processes.
The Daily Star’s analysis points to a stark reality: with candidate nominations closed last week for the February 12 general elections, women make up just over 4% of candidates in general seats, excluding two constituencies. Shockingly, none of the 30 registered political parties fielded a single female candidate in many areas.
This isn’t a mere shortage of willing women, experts argue. It’s a systemic exclusion from competitive politics. Women thrive in governance and service delivery roles but are systematically sidelined from power struggles. ‘Bangladesh has professionalized women for development but not politicized them for rule,’ the report states bluntly.
Referencing a First Alert study, the report notes that despite the National Consensus Commission’s recommendation for parties to nominate at least 5% women in general seats, most ignored it. The BNP managed only 3.5%, while Jamaat-e-Islami fielded zero. Smaller parties initially named women but withdrew many nominations later.
Former women’s affairs reformers and activists lambast parties for breaking pledges. This perpetuates a long-standing trend of dismal female representation in Bangladeshi polls, undermining years of advocacy and prior agreements. As elections near, the interim government’s inaction risks reversing fragile gains in gender parity, leaving women on the margins of democracy.
