It is truly disheartening to observe the glaring absence of female candidates vying for political office in the upcoming general elections. Despite Bangladesh having been led at different times by two women since 1991 besides the years of the caretaker regime, the paltry representation of women remains a stark reminder of the uphill battle for true inclusivity.
The fact that only 128 female candidates are set to contest the election -- which makes it a truly laughable 4.71% of the total 2,713 candidates -- tells us that when it comes to women in politics, we have a long, long way to go.
When women are actively involved in the political sphere, policies are far more likely to address the myriad needs of society. Women bring diverse insights into all issues, from healthcare to education to social welfare; this diverse perspectives is crucial for crafting holistic and effective policies that lead to a nation's success. With Bangladesh on the cusp of graduating from a least developed country to a middle income economy, it is extremely unfortunate that, once again, the nation will be deprived of these perspectives.
Moreover, the absence of female candidates sends the wrong message to aspiring young women. The lack of visible role models in politics is no doubt discouraging capable women from pursuing careers in public service. Actively working towards a more diverse political landscape is therefore a necessity; only that will instill the belief that anyone, regardless of gender, can contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation.
In the journey toward a more equitable and representative democracy, it is crucial that we recognize the urgency of addressing the gender gap in political leadership. We must start the work now, so that future elections see more balance and we are successful in building the Bangladesh we all want.