Political parties must create space for women from grassroots: Shama Obaed

Political parties must create more opportunities for women to enter politics from the grassroots and prepare them for national leadership, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said today (22 August).

“It’s not possible to achieve development by leaving 50% of the country’s population behind,” she said while speaking at the closing dialogue titled “Empowering Young Women in Political Leadership in Bangladesh,” organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at a hotel in the capital.

The dialogue was held as part of the Politics Lab programme, which included four workshops organised with support from Germany-based political foundation Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).

Shama said education enhances women’s decision-making capacity, but they still face various barriers in politics and society, including cyber harassment.

The state and government need to play an effective role in addressing these obstacles, while supporting women should be treated as a policy priority, she added.

“The path for women to advance in political leadership is never easy. Despite all obstacles, women must move forward with merit and self-respect,” Shama said, calling for collective efforts to promote transparent and accountable politics.

Speaking at the event, Centre for Governance Studies President Zillur Rahman said genuine inclusion requires more than ensuring women’s participation in politics. Women must also have effective power in decision-making and access to resources.

A change in social attitudes is needed to ensure women can work safely and with dignity in all spheres of society, he added.

Other speakers included reserved women’s seat lawmaker Jahrat Adib Chowdhury, CPB Praesidium Member Jolly Talukder, AB Party International Relations Secretary Nasreen Sultana Mily, NCP Joint Convener Monira Sharmin, FES Bangladesh Resident Representative Dr Felix Grades, and CGS Executive Director Parvez Karim Abbasi.