The speaker said many qualified women leaders had emerged across the country who could contest elections independently and defeat male candidates.
Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. Photo: Courtesy
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Hafiz Uddin Ahmad. Photo: Courtesy
Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad today (12 November) questioned the need for continuing the system of reserved seats for women in parliament, saying qualified women are now capable of winning elections directly.
“I personally think the system of reserved seats should now be abolished,” he said while addressing the launch of an all-party parliamentary caucus for disadvantaged communities at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital.
The caucus has been formed to advance the rights and interests of disadvantaged communities, with the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, serving as its secretariat.
The speaker said many qualified women leaders had emerged across the country who could contest elections independently and defeat male candidates.
He, however, suggested that political parties could be required to nominate women for one-third of their constituencies to ensure greater female participation in electoral politics.
He said the reserved-seat system was introduced when women were relatively disadvantaged in terms of political participation, with the expectation that the arrangement would gradually become unnecessary as their position improved.
But the number of reserved seats had increased over the years, reaching 50, instead of being phased out, he said.
“If things continue this way, they will never become self-reliant or stand on their own feet,” he said, arguing that women should be encouraged to compete directly in elections.
The speaker also praised the performance of women lawmakers in the current parliament, saying he was impressed by their speeches and contributions to parliamentary proceedings.
He said several women lawyers and directly elected female MPs were demonstrating their capabilities in parliament, reflecting growing awareness and progress in society.
The event was chaired by its head Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, MP.
Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni and Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of the Citizens’ platform for SDGs, among others, spoke at the event.
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