Violence against women in politics, along with financial, social and institutional barriers, continues to discourage them from taking part in Bangladesh’s political process, according to findings of a new qualitative study released yesterday.
The United Nations Electoral Assistance Programme (DRIP/BALLOT) conducted the study, while the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, BRAC University, and UN Women launched the findings at an event at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.
The study, based on 43 in-depth interviews with women parliamentarians, local government representatives, political party members and public office holders, identified online and offline violence against women in politics as a major deterrent to their political participation and leadership.
It also reviewed relevant laws and policies and identified persistent obstacles faced by women despite constitutional guarantees of equal rights and existing provisions aimed at increasing their representation.
Dr Imran Matin, executive director of BIGD, said the issue went beyond democratic representation.
He said discussions on women’s political participation should also focus on their broader participation in public life, political activism, and involvement in decision-making and leadership within political parties.
Such discussions should be grounded in academic evidence, he added.
State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin recounted her own experiences of facing attacks and misinformation campaigns online and offline during elections, despite coming from a well-known political family.
Lawmaker Rasheda Begum Hira said reserved seats continued to give women opportunities to directly engage with constituents and build public trust.
Monira Sharmin, central convener of Jatiyo Nari Shakti and joint convener of the National Citizen Party, said, “Even if there is a question concerning women, it is always the men in the room making the decisions,” she said.
Viable female candidates were frequently overlooked in favour of male nominees, she said.
The study also underscored structural barriers faced by women contesting elections.
Lawmaker Rumeen Farhana stressed the role independent institutions could play in overcoming some of these barriers by safeguarding free and fair elections.
Despite facing obstacles to her independent campaign, Rumeen credited the Election Commission and the Bangladesh Army with ensuring an overall fair process in her constituency.
Taslima Akhter, a member of the Ganosamhati Andolon, said, “I faced a lot of questions about my candidacy within and outside my party and even my family. Women should be seen as individuals with separate identities, and not by who they are married to. My long track record of fighting for workers’ rights alone should have been enough.”
Speakers also questioned whether equal participation was possible without equal rights.
“If you want to serve the people, you have to develop a thick skin. While we want women to compete as equals, the laws of the land and our economic realities do not treat women equally. We have a different set of legal standards that define the contours of our lives. It is akin to shackling women by the feet and asking them to run a race as equals,” said Dr Manisha Chakraborty, a member of the Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal.
Election Commissioner Brig Gen Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah (retd), who spoke as chief guest at the closing session, said women’s participation in elections had increased.
“Looking at the last election, I can say that women’s participation in elections has increased. Even when women were not in contention for seats, parties actively relied on women on the campaign trail and to connect with voters. However, ensuring that they not only participate, but also have a say in politics, is the key,” he said.
Gitanjali Singh, country representative of UN Women, said women’s political participation was critical for a well-functioning democracy.
“Their inclusion is a matter of justice and a key factor in creating more effective governance,” she said.
“When women are excluded from public life and employment, democracy falters,” she said.
Rasheda K Chowdhury, executive director of Campaign for Popular Education and former adviser to the caretaker government; Ruhin Hossain Prince, former general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh; and Corinne Thévoz, deputy head of cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, also spoke.
