Empower women at grassroots for national leadership: Shama Obaed
She also called for political parties to change their mindset and policies to increase women’s participation.
Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam has called for empowering women at the grassroots level and creating greater opportunities for their direct participation in politics.
Women must be given opportunities to engage in politics from the grassroots to prepare them for national leadership, she said, stressing that "no development is possible by leaving behind 50% of the country's population".
She also called for political parties to change their mindset and policies to increase women's participation.
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She made the remarks today (22 August) at the concluding dialogue on "Empowering Young Women in Political Leadership in Bangladesh", organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) in Dhaka. The event was held as part of the "Politics Lab" programme, supported by the German political foundation Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES).
Shama said education enhances women's decision-making capacity, but they still face barriers in politics and society, including online harassment. The state and government must take effective measures to address these challenges, she said.
"Women must move forward with merit and self-respect despite the obstacles," she said, urging all to work together for transparent and accountable politics.
CGS President Zillur Rahman said genuine inclusion requires not only women's participation but also their effective power in decision-making and resource use. He called for a change in mindset to ensure women can work safely and with dignity in all spheres of society.
MP Johrot Adib Chowdhury, CPB Presidium Member Joly Talukder, AB Party International Affairs Secretary Barrister Nasrin Sultana Mili, NCP Joint Convener Monira Sharmin, FES Bangladesh Resident Representative Dr Felix Gredes and CGS Executive Director Parvez Karim Abbasi also spoke.
Speakers called for reforms in party structures, an end to money- and muscle-driven politics, measures to prevent cyber harassment, and greater economic and social empowerment of women.
The event concluded with certificate distribution among young women politicians who participated in the "Politics Lab" workshops.
