Parliament Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Wednesday said women's meaningful participation in parliamentary elections is a prerequisite to establish an inclusive democracy as well as it is essential to flourish parliamentary democracy.
She was addressing as the chief guest a meeting titled “Advancing Women's Leadership in Elections” jointly organized by Democracy International and USAID, said a press release of the Parliament Secretariat.
Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib is a unique example of women empowerment in Bangladesh.
She played a very significant role from behind the curtain in encouraging her husband Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in establishing an Independent Bangladesh and rights of Bangalis through long political struggles for 24 years, the speaker said.
Bangabandhu incorporated the provision in the constitution keeping women reserved seats in parliament and following his footprints, his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also becomes a role model of women empowerment.
"No democracy can be effective one without women's participation. Women's participation is a must in democracy in a country where over 50% population is women," she said.
The parliament speaker said a political party chooses an eligible aspirant, not a male or female, for a parliamentary seat for winning the polls.
So, nomination aspirants must have to enhance their constant engagement with people, she observed.
No other can present the demands and necessitates of a women as like as her," she said.
So, only being elected is not enough rather the women will have to create congenial atmosphere for them where they can work confidently without looking for another's help, she suggested.
Democracy International Senior Director Abdul Alim gave speech on a draft bill of an act relating to election campaign cost for women candidate while the organization's director Lipika Biswas moderated the meeting.
USAID Bangladesh acting Deputy Mission Director Sonjai Reynolds-Cooper and Democracy International Chief of Party Dana L. Olds also spoke.
Lawmakers Umme Nazma Begum, Habiba Rahman Khan, Manira Sultana, Rawshan Ara Mannan, Kazi Kaniz Sultana, Adiba Anjum Mita, Aroma Dutta, Shamima Akhtar Khanam, Sherifa Quader and Afroza Haque also addressed it.