Politicians and rights activists on Wednesday called for an increase in the number of reserved seats for women in the parliament to 150 from 50 and direct elections.
They made the demand at a roundtable discussion on 鈥楨ffective and Meaningful Representation of Women in Parliament: Direct Election to Reserved Women鈥檚 Seats,鈥� marking International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women Day 2025.
Samajik Protirodh Committee, a platform of 71 organisations working on women鈥檚 rights and development, organised the event at CIRDAP in Dhaka. The Bangladesh Mahila Parishad president, Fauzia Moslem, moderated the event.
Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir, who presented the concept note, said that at least one-third of women members in the parliament through direct elections would help to safeguard women鈥檚 interests and rights in ensuring their accountability to people.
While direct elections to reserved seats for women have for long been in practice in local government institutions, the same method in the national parliament would pave the way for a greater political empowerment of women, she said.
Khushi Kabir put forth the demands, calling for 450 seats in the parliament, 300 general and 150 reserved, ending the current nomination system for reserved seats and introducing direct elections for women from specific constituencies. The system could remain in place for two to three terms.
The Communist Party of Bangladesh general secretary, Ruhin Hossain Prince, emphasised the need for awareness among women of exercising their franchise, noting that many women, especially working in the apparel sector, are reluctant to vote.
The speakers also urged the government to remove the reservations on Article 2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of discrimination, and Article 16(C), which guarantees equal rights for women regarding marriage and divorce, under the CEDAW convention.
The United Nations adopted the 30-article CEDAW Charter on December 18, 1979 and the convention entered into force on September 3, 1981.
Bangladesh signed CEDAW in 1984 and continues to maintain reservations to Article 2 and 16(1C).
