In a nation where women form over half the population, Bangladesh’s politics tells a different story ahead of February 12 voting. Nominations total 2,568, but women number only 109 – 4.2%. This gap, detailed by Salim Jahan in Prothom Alo, stems from entrenched male dominance.
Of the women, 72 got party nods; 37 did not. Fully 30 of 50 parties skipped female candidates entirely, flouting an informal 5% pledge. BNP and BSP offered 10 tickets each, with BNP’s slim 3% from 328 slots under fire. Jamaat-e-Islami blanked out women completely in 279 seats.
Beyond numbers, the report flags deeper woes: sparse female activism, rarity in campaigns, societal resistance, and brawn-heavy politics that favor men. Parties’ failure to uplift women perpetuates inequality. For Bangladesh to evolve, empowering female participation isn’t optional – it’s essential for democratic health.