We could not agree more with female members of parliament (MPs) in Bangladesh who have advocated for a dedicated law to enhance female participation in politics and empower women leaders.
Bangladesh’s journey towards development and progress will reach its full potential only with greater representation of women in the nation's political landscape. Despite having a woman at the helm of the government, the underrepresentation of women in politics remains a concerning issue that must be addressed for our future well-being.
Indeed, with female candidates often facing financial constraints and insufficient party support compared to their male counterparts, it is vital to achieve a level playing field, where all candidates are then selected based on their merit and not by the support and finances they are able to generate for their campaigns.
The low rate of participation of women in politics is clear when looking at the number of women candidates that contested the 12th general election where, according to the Election Commission, 92 contestants out of 1,891 vying for 300 seats were women, making up less than 4.86%.
Increasing women's participation in politics is crucial for ensuring that the diverse needs and concerns of women, who constitute half of the population, are adequately addressed.
The difference in perspective women leaders bring in important areas such as education, health care, and social welfare are all vital for the overall well-being of society. Women's involvement in politics also promotes a more inclusive governance along with a more representative democracy.
Studies have long shown that greater representation of women in leadership positions is associated with greater progress. By breaking down gender barriers and creating an enabling environment for women's political participation, Bangladesh can unlock its full potential and accelerate its progress towards becoming an equitable and prosperous nation.