EDITORIAL
One way to ensure gender equality
Some 150 female politicians belonging to Awami League, BNP and Jatiya Party voiced a demand for political parties to nominate at least 30 percent seats for women at a conference on “Advancing women's leadership in the national elections” on November 13. That we have had only about five percent women contesting elections in the last general elections held in 2014 speaks volumes of the state of women's representation or lack of it in parliament. There is much debate about women's empowerment these days and yet we find political parties shying away from nominating women to run for office. While there are reserved seats for women in the parliament for the winning party or alliance, the time has come for direct participation in polls.
We would like to see women members of parliament (MPs) who have a track record of being elected (in open contest) nominated by their respective parties in the upcoming general elections. Also, there are women in politics who have clearly demonstrated that they enjoy wide public support and they should be promoted as candidates. Last, but not the least, women who enjoy a similar standing as their male counterparts, may be considered as potential electoral candidates.
The two major political parties in the country are both headed by women. Indeed, women have been taking leadership roles in all spheres of life and it is only just that they should be part of the process which formulates policies that steer the country forward. The 30 percent representation demanded, we believe, is a move in the right direction because without more female MPs, we cannot expect gender-sensitive policies to be enacted into law.
- Courtesy: The Daily Star/ Nov 15, 2018
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