This election opened a real path for democracy in Bangladesh and the energy was visible everywhere. From village tea stalls to city discussions, people talked about policy. They debated leadership and the future. Democracy felt active. It felt grounded in people’s daily lives.

Many of us are glad to see elected leaders who speak about inclusion. But the final numbers brought disappointment. Only seven women were elected out of 300 parliamentary seats. This is a very small number and none of us can be fully satisfied with this outcome.

The gap feels sharp because women were highly visible throughout the election. They campaigned. They organized. They monitored polling. They voted in strong numbers. Their participation as citizens was high, yet their presence as elected representatives stayed low.

This mismatch should trouble anyone who believes in representative democracy.

This result is also a broken promise. The July Charter set a clear benchmark for this transition. It asked political parties to start with at least 5% women candidates in parliamentary nominations. This was meant to represent a political turning point.

Yet, women made up less than 4% of all candidates. Most major parties, including signatories to the charter, failed to meet even this modest 5% target. This was the charter’s first credibility test, and the political parties failed it.

Still, disappointment can be a starting point. Today the number is seven. With planning, it can become 70 in the next election. This will not happen by chance. It will only happen if we keep reminding our institutions about this gap. We must stay committed to structural change.

From the reform directions already in circulation, five concrete promises can directly support women’s leadership.

First, we need direct elections for women’s reserved seats instead of indirect nomination. Earlier dialogues argued that direct elections give women real voter accountability. It gives them political legitimacy rather than just symbolic presence.

Second, we need a strict legal requirement for nominations. The voluntary commitments of the July Charter were ignored. We need mandatory rules requiring parties to nominate a minimum percentage of women. Without binding laws, parties often praise empowerment in manifestos but give very few winnable tickets.

Third, we must expand reserved seats and link them to constituencies. Reform discussions have suggested linking women’s seats to defined geographic areas. This ensures representatives answer to voters, not only to party leadership.

Fourth, we need public campaign finance support. Research shows that lack of access to money is a strong barrier. Women often lack the property and informal funding networks that male candidates use to buy influence.

Fifth, we need constitutional backing for equal participation in oversight bodies. Many women MPs sit on committees but have limited influence. Rules should require proportional representation in key committees like finance, law, and public accounts.

The problem is not only national. It is global. Women’s equal participation is essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet worldwide, women still hold only about 27% of parliamentary seats. Very few countries have reached parity. At the current pace, equal representation may take decades.

Evidence shows that when women lead, outcomes improve. From local councils in South Asia to municipalities in Europe, women leaders have been linked with stronger delivery in water, childcare, and social protection.

Representation is not only about fairness. It improves decisions.

Bangladesh’s own research explains why progress is slow. Patriarchal norms and male-dominated party structures hold women back. As noted during the recent election analysis, parties often treat financial viability as a prerequisite. This creates a cycle where men dominate because the system is designed around male access to resources.

Can the government fix this alone? No. Government action is necessary, but not sufficient.

Political parties must change how they finance and protect candidates. Their manifesto promises must be tracked. The media and civil society should publish gender scorecards after every election.

Citizens also have power. We can question nomination lists. We can support capable women candidates openly. We can challenge social attitudes that treat politics as a male space. Change in numbers starts with change in culture.

Voter turnout in this election was about 59.44%. That number can grow when people see that democracy truly includes everyone. A healthy democracy is measured not only by turnout. It is measured by who gets to lead.

Democracy grows through pressure. It grows through participation and accountability. The road is open. Now we have to walk it with purpose.

Fariha Hossain is a development professional and humanitarian. Her work focuses on social inclusion and women's rights in Bangladesh. She can be reached at [email protected].