Violence and Exclusion: The Crisis of Female Candidates in Bangladesh

Bangladesh stands at a crossroads as its parliamentary vote approaches on February 12, marred by escalating violence and a lack of gender diversity among candidates. Only 81 women are contesting the 300 parliamentary seats, a statistic that has ignited a fierce backlash from local activists. During a high-stakes press conference, the Social Resistance Committee painted a bleak portrait of the current political climate. Fauzia Moslem of the Bangladesh Women’s Council noted that excluding women from decision-making roles is a regression for the country. The coalition flagged intensifying assaults on vulnerable factions and criticized the interim government’s failure to curb gender-based violence. As threats to candidates and communal flare-ups proliferate, these voices are calling for a fundamental shift in how political parties approach nominations. They argue that elevating women is not an optional goal but the very bedrock of a resilient and functional democratic system.