Staff Correspondent

Speakers at a prominent view-exchange meeting have called upon all political parties to abandon religion-based politics and ensure 33% female representation in their committees.

The discussion, titled “Establishment of Women's Human Rights and Political Empowerment,” was organized by Bangladesh Mahila Parishad at the Anowara Begum-Munira Khan auditorium of its central office on Sunday.

The event aimed to strengthen the movement for women's political empowerment, ensure women's effective participation in decision-making processes, and establish human rights within the current political landscape.

The meeting was presided over by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of the Central Committee of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, while welcome remarks were delivered by General Secretary Maleka Banu. The keynote paper was presented by Rabeya Khatun Shanti, Movement Secretary of the organization. Participating female political leaders and activists addressing the event emphasized that elevating women's standing in politics and achieving their political empowerment is vital for actualizing gender equality across society and the state.

Speakers highlighted that Bangladeshi women serve not merely as voters, but as political activists, organizers, elected representatives, movement leaders, and partners in nation-building. Participants stressed that women must unite across party lines to voice common rights-based demands, particularly advocating for the reform of discriminatory family laws and the full implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). To build an inclusive political architecture, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad put forward several key recommendations, including guaranteeing women's participation in elections and politics to construct a democratic, discrimination-free, egalitarian, and secular society, and instituting a one-third female participation quota for national parliamentary elections similar to local government frameworks.

Further recommendations outlined that the electoral culture requires radical transformation, and women must be provided protection during and around election cycles. Alongside direct elections for reserved seats in the national parliament, women's positions within political parties must be reinforced so that they are not utilized merely as political tools.

In accordance with the Representation of the People Order (RPO) 2023 (Amendment), 33% of seats across all tiers including central committees of every political party must be reserved for women, a mandate that must be incorporated into party constitutions, adhered to, and fully implemented in phases by 2030