Only a small fraction of candidates contesting Bangladesh’s 13th National Parliament election are women, highlighting persistent gender gaps in political representation despite long-standing commitments by political parties.
According to Election Commission (EC) data, 2,568 candidates filed nominations for the 300-seat parliament, of whom just 109 are women—around 4.24 percent of the total. Of these, 68 women received party nominations, while independent candidates account for the largest share with 41 contenders.
Among the party-backed female candidates, 10 are from the BNP, three from the NCP, six from the Jatiya Party, six from JSD, five from Gono Sanghati Andolon, three from Gono Odhikar Parishad and others from smaller parties. Several parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Andolon Bangladesh, did not nominate any women candidates.
According to the affidavits of many of the women who have filed nominations, their income and assets amount to several crores of taka. The number of millionaire women is close to 30.
The candidates filed their nominations on December 29 last year. After this, after the verification, many candidacies were canceled. Many got their candidacies back after appealing.
Among them are independent candidate Tasnim Zara of Dhaka-9 constituency, Jasad candidate Kamrunnahar Sathi of Cumilla-6, Jatiya Party’s Shamim Ara Parvin of Khulna-5, independent candidate Taslima Begum of Bhola-2, NCP’s Sabina Javed of Dhaka-18, Champa Rani Sarkar of Bangladesh's Revolutionary Workers Party in Netrokona-4, Dilruba of Bangladesh's Socialist Party in Bogra-6, Fatema Rahman Bithi of the Gono Sanghati Andolan in Tangail-5, independent candidate Jinnat Akhter of Chattogram-2, AB Party’s Rashida Akhter of Chandpur-2, independent candidate Mosha. Arfana Begum of Naogaon-4, and independent candidate Hosne Ara Begum of Jamalpur-5 constituency.
The Women's Political Rights Forum has alleged that political parties have not fulfilled their minimum commitment to ensure women's participation in the parliamentary elections this time.
The forum claims that political parties have not implemented the announced 5 percent women's nomination, which is a reflection of the parties' reluctance and irresponsibility towards women's leadership.
Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (SHUJAN) Secretary Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar has said that the low participation of women in the 13th National Parliament elections is 'sad'.
He told Bangladesh Pratidin, “I personally have tried my best to increase women's participation and ensure fair representation of women. They constitute more than half of our population. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure at least half of women's representation in the elections.”
“Although the political parties agreed to provide 5 percent women's nominations, they did not keep it in the end. In this, patriarchy has once again won and women's rights have been defeated,” he added.
According to the information provided on the Election Commission (EC) website, EC has announced the completion of the nomination papers submitted by former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia after her death. Apart from Khaleda Zia, 10 female candidates from BNP have submitted their nomination papers this time.
These candidates are - Sanjida Islam in Dhaka-14 constituency, Israt Sultana Elen Bhutto in Jhalokati-2, Nadira Akhter in Madaripur-1, Afroza Khanam in Manikganj-3, Farzana Sharmin in Natore-1, Md. Tahmina Rushdir in Sylhet-2, Sansila Zebrin in Sherpur-1, Md. Sabira Sultana in Jessore-2, Shama Obaid Islam in Faridpur-2 and Nayab Yusuf Ahmed in Faridpur-3 constituency.
The three female candidates from NCP are Dilshana Parul from Dhaka-19, Nabila Tasnid from Dhaka-20 and Mahmuda Alam Mitu from Jhalokati-1.
From the Jatiya Party, Shamim Ara Parvin from Khulna-5, Monika Alam from Jhenaidah-1, Nurunnahar Begum from Thakurgaon-2, Mithila Roaja from Khagrachhari, Meherunnesa Khan Hena from Narsingdi-5 and Bohni Bepari from Dhaka-10.
In addition, the independent female candidates include Rumin Farhana from Brahmanbaria-2 and Tasnim Zara from Dhaka-9, for a total of 41 candidates.
Among other political parties, women candidates from the Bangladesh Socialist Party, People's Gono Odhikar Parishad, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD), Gana Sanghati Andolon, Insaniat Biplob Bangladesh, Nagorik Oikya, Bangladesh Republican Party, Bangladesh Supreme Party, Bangladesh Muslim League, Communist Party of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party, Amar Bangladesh Party, Bangladesh Labor Party, Aamjantar Dal, Islamic Front Bangladesh, National People's Party have submitted nomination papers to contest from their respective constituencies in the national election.
The asset declarations of 27 of these candidates show that they have assets exceeding crores of taka. Some candidates are owners of several crores of taka. Out of these, 17 female candidates who are running independently are millionaires.
29 parties including Jamaat did not field female candidates: Although 51 political parties participated in this upcomming election, many political parties did not field female candidates. Only 22 parties fielded female candidates. 29 parties did not field any female candidates. Among the major parties, 176 nominations were submitted by Jamaat-e-Islami without any female candidates.
Although the party leaders claim that at least 40 percent of the party leadership is women. Along with that, the Islami Andolon Bangladesh submitted 268 nominations, but there is no female candidate.
Similarly, other parties including the Khilafat Majlis, Bangladesh Islamic Front have only nominated male candidates. The Liberal Democratic Party, Janatar Dal, and Bangladesh Cultural Liberation Alliance have also not nominated female candidates.
Bd-pratidin English/TR
