Eight women are contesting the forthcoming 13th national parliamentary election in Rajshahi Division, reflecting a growing presence of female leadership in Bangladesh’s electoral politics. A total of 203 candidates are competing for seats across 39 constituencies in the division.
According to the election schedule, 260 nomination papers were initially submitted in Rajshahi Division. Following scrutiny, 203 nominations were declared valid.
The women candidates include independent contender Habiba Begum in Rajshahi-3 (Paba–Mohanpur); BNP-nominated Advocate Farzana Sharmin Putul in Natore-1 (Lalpur–Bagatipara); Tahamida Islam Tania of Ganosanghati Andolon in Natore-2 (Natore Sadar and Naldanga); Mallika Khatun of Gono Odhikar Parishad (GOP) in Sirajganj-1 (Kazipur and part of Sirajganj Sadar); Ilora Khatun of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD–Rob) in Sirajganj-6 (Shahjadpur); Toufika Dewan of Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BASAD–Marxist) and independent candidate Sabekun Nahar Shikha in Joypurhat-1 (Joypurhat and Panchbibi); and Advocate Dilruba Nuri of BASAD in Bogra -6 (Sadar).
Habiba Begum, contesting from Rajshahi-3, hails from Singhmara village in Mohanpur Upazila. Her husband, Masud Rana, previously served as women’s affairs secretary of the Upazila Krishak League.
In Natore-1, BNP nominee Advocate Farzana Sharmin Putul is the daughter of late BNP leader and former state minister Fazlur Rahman Patol. She currently serves as joint convener of the Natore District BNP. Farzana Sharmin said she has long been active in party politics and is contesting to expand women’s participation in politics and represent grassroots voices in parliament. Her stated goal is to advance women’s rights alongside those of workers and marginalized communities.
Ganosanghati Andolon candidate Tahamida Islam Tania is contesting Natore-2 with the ‘Mathal’ symbol. Politically active since her student days, she served as president of the Bangladesh Students Federation’s Jagannath University unit in 2008. She is currently a member of the Krishak-Majur Central Solidarity Committee and convener of the party’s Natore district committee. Tahamida described the election as an opportunity to make women’s leadership more visible, particularly in struggles for social justice.
In Sirajganj-1, GOP nominee Mallika Khatun, an MSc graduate, is joint member secretary of the party’s district committee. A native of Ruperber village in Ratankandi Union under Sirajganj Sadar Upazila, she said her political journey began from a farming background. If elected, she plans to prioritize river erosion control, agricultural modernization, and development of char areas.
JSD candidate Ilora Khatun is contesting Sirajganj-6. She is an assistant secretary of the party’s central committee and convener of its Shahjadpur Upazila unit. Holding honours and master’s degrees in economics, she comes from a politically active family and said her aim is to stand beside ordinary people.
In Joypurhat-1, BASAD candidate Toufika Dewan is contesting with the ‘Scissors’ symbol. She said the condition of farmers has remained largely unchanged over decades and pledged to work for unity and rights among farming communities, noting that both men and women play vital roles in agriculture.
In the same constituency, independent candidate Sabekun Nahar Shikha, a former Panchbibi Upazila Parishad chairman, is also in the race. She was removed from office following the July mass uprising that led to the fall of the government. Sabekun Nahar said women candidates continue to face significant obstacles despite rhetoric on empowerment and pledged to fight terrorism and unemployment if elected.
In Bogra -6 (Sadar), BASAD candidate Advocate Dilruba Nuri is the only woman contestant in the district. She serves as member secretary of the Bogra District BASAD and is contesting against high-profile candidates including BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman, Jamaat-e-Islami city amir Abidur Rahman (Sohel), Islami Andolon Bangladesh nominee Abu Numan Md Mamunur Rashid, and JSD candidate Abdullah Al Waki. Acknowledging the challenge of contesting against a party chief, Nuri said she remains hopeful.