Rights groups and observers are expressing shared concerns over the recent decision made by the National Consensus Commission (NCC) regarding reserved seats for women in Bangladesh’s parliament. The decision, which maintains the current number of reserved seats and the process for party nomination of female candidates, comes amidst a backdrop where women constitute around half of the country’s voters but only have 50 out of 350 parliamentary seats reserved for them, accounting for 14 percent.
The lack of significant changes in the reserved seats allocation has raised questions. Since the change in government last year, women in public roles have faced increasing challenges, and issues concerning women have been repeatedly targeted. Notably, out of the seven NCC members, none are women, and a report suggests that the NCC did not consider input from the Women’s Affairs Commission in its discussions, citing it as beyond the commission’s “terms of reference (TOR).” This exclusion of critical recommendations aimed at benefitting a significant portion of the population raises concerns about the direction of reform efforts and the political parties’ stance on women’s issues.
The limited representation of women in political parties’ daily discussions is also concerning. Despite the historical leadership of women in some parties like BNP, female representation remains low. Even parties advocating for equality, such as the National Citizen Party, have failed to adequately include women in their discussions. The absence of voices from minority communities further highlights the lack of inclusive decision-making processes.
Amidst these observations, doubts arise about the feasibility of political parties fulfilling their promise to nominate five percent women candidates in the upcoming election. There are concerns that female candidates may be placed in constituencies where the party’s influence is weaker, perpetuating a tokenistic approach in a predominantly male-dominated political environment. The historical trend of symbolic representation without substantial empowerment for women in Bangladesh underscores the urgent need for genuine change in the political landscape.
Calls are being made to the NCC and political parties to reconsider the concerns raised by rights activists and marginalized communities before finalizing the July Charter. Any reforms that overlook the voices of women and minorities are likely to lack credibility and compromise the envisioned democratic principles of equality and fairness. It is imperative to prioritize inclusivity and genuine empowerment to advance towards a truly democratic and equitable society.