Women MPs and potential general seat aspirants have urged for more nominations to women for general seats in the upcoming national elections.
A significant increase in supporting women to aspire for victory in elections is needed to achieve gender parity in Bangladesh, the speakers added.
They made the remarks at a workshop on “Advancing Women's Leadership in Politics” arranged in Dhaka by 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 the 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 a 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 the 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, and member of the central executive committee of Awami League, said countries where women's leadership has reached a significant level should learn from their journey and try to strengthen women's power further in political parties.
Md Abdul Alim, senior director of Election Programs at Democracy International Bangladesh, said 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 are needed to increase the number of women in parliament: in legislative reserved seats, legislative candidates, and voluntary candidates.
Sixty countries use legislative candidate quotas. in Argentina,30% candidates in the lower house and 30% in upper house must be women. Honduras stipulates 40% of the candidates should be women, Nepal one third, and Portugal 33%.
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 internal decisions within parties, and they are often just as respected as legislated quotas and thereby also as effective, Alim added.
He said the Social Democratic Party of Austria has had a 40% voluntary candidate quota for women on party lists since 1985.
He also highlighted the importance of support for women candidates in elections. For example, Ghana needs a gender unit at the electoral commission, which assists in filling nominations, training on participating elections, and more 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.
