Women MPs and potential general seat aspirants have urged more nominations of women for general seats in the upcoming national elections.
Speakers said on Monday that a significant increase in supporting women to aspire for and win elections is needed to achieve greater gender parity in Bangladesh's next parliamentary elections.
They said this at a workshop on ‘Advancing Women's Leadership in Politics' at Dhaka, the USAID-funded Strengthening Political Landscape (SPL) project, implemented by Democracy International, as part of SPL's Narir Joye Shobar Joy (When Women Win, We All Win) campaign.
This workshop highlighted challenges faced by women in reserved seats and the significance of aspiring for general seats in the upcoming national elections.
During the event, twenty-three women MPs and potential general election candidates developed a comprehensive advocacy strategy to reform current electoral system and increase nominations for women in general elections.
Dana L Olds, Democracy International Chief of Party said: “I appreciate the women of this country because they have overcome great obstacles to expand their power in the political arena, they have made it this far in politics. There are three things that are very dominant in politics: man, muscle and money. Despite these obstacles there are few qualified women in the parliament.”
She added: “Bangladesh has made a lot of progress in the political empowerment of women in the last few decades. From today's discussion, all these matters will come out more clearly in front of us which will be useful in increasing our empowerment.”
Panel speaker Selima Rahman, a member of BNP standing committee said, The Election Commission should provide financial incentives to women candidates participating in elections.
She also insisted on ensuring 33% participation of women in every political party.
Marina Jahan MP, Member, Central Executive Committee, Bangladesh Awami League (AL) said, Countries where women's leadership has reached a significant level should learn from their journey and try to strengthen women's power in political parties.
Some key demands identified by women legislators and potential general seat aspirants emerged from these discussions. They agreed on a few issues and emphasis for implementation, those points are-
Political parties must stipulate in their election manifestos, party constitutions, that they will nominate a certain number of women to run for general seats. A fund formed by The Election Commission which provides financial incentives to women candidates participating in elections.
All political parties must ensure that 33% of their committees are women. And each political party should strive to increase the political skills of women leaders.
Md Abdul Alim Senior Director of Election Programs, Democracy International Bangladesh said in his presentation, Women's equal participation and leadership in political and public life are essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. At the current rate of progress, gender parity in national legislative bodies will not be achieved before 2063.
He said three types of quotas need to increase women in parliament which are legislative reserved seats, legislative candidate quota and voluntary candidate quota. Sixty countries use this legislative candidate quota.
He presents some examples of legislative candidate quota; in Argentina this quota has 30% candidates in the lower house and 30% in upper house. Honduras has 40% candidates; Nepal has one third and Portugal legislated 33% candidates.
Presentation said, the use of voluntary party quotas in several countries demonstrates that they are just as successful in increasing the representation of women in national legislatures. These quotas stem from an internal decision within the party, they are often just as respected as legislated quotas and thereby also as effective.
He said, Social Democratic Party of Austria has had a 40% voluntary candidate quota for women on party lists since 1985.
In this presentation, the importance of various support for women candidates in elections is emphasized. Like Ghana needs a gender unit at the electoral commission which assists in filling nomination, training on participating elections etc. for women candidates. Public funding for women candidates is also required.
The workshop was attended by 23 female MPs and potential general aspirants representing the AL, the BNP, the JaPa, the JASAD and the non-political category. Panel speakers included Sharifa Quader MP, Advisor to Chairman, Central Committee, Jatiya Party (JaPa), and Carrie Rasmussen, Acting Mission Director to USAID Bangladesh.