Activists urge direct elections for reserved seats to strengthen women’s political empowerment

Women's rights advocates and political leaders have called for an end to the current nomination system for reserved parliamentary seats, arguing it hinders women's political empowerment. 

Instead, they demand direct elections for these seats and a guaranteed proportion of women candidates in general constituencies.

These sentiments were voiced at a discussion titled "Women's Representation in Parliament through Direct Voting for Women's Political Empowerment: Necessity, Challenges and Solutions," organised by the Nagorik Coalition at the Daily Star Conference Center in Farmgate today (15 June).

Speakers at the event emphasised that nominated candidates often lack accountability to the public, with their loyalty primarily directed towards their political parties. 

To foster genuine women's leadership, they proposed direct elections for women's seats and ensuring a 3:1 ratio of parliamentary constituencies for women. 

Additionally, they recommended political parties should be mandated to nominate a certain percentage of women candidates in general elections.

Tasneem Zara, of the National Citizen Party, said debates over whether qualified women exist for direct elections are unnecessary, as nobody questions men's qualifications. 

She emphasised that women are actively engaged in work even in the most remote areas.

Tasneem pointed out several key problems with the current system - nominations are often not merit-based; voters are denied the right to directly elect their MPs; and nominated women MPs remain accountable to their parties rather than the public. 

She argued that direct elections would foster women's leadership from the grassroots level.

Umama Fatima, spokesperson for the Students Against Discrimination, said, "Elections should be a fair competition based on talent and ideas. If women have the will to raise their voices, they absolutely can." 

She added, "If we say women cannot be nominated because elections are difficult, we are accepting a flawed system. Women must have the chance to compete independently and prove themselves both in parliament and within their parties. Whether 25% or 50% of seats, electing women through direct voting is key to future representation."

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, general secretary of Amar Bangladesh Party, said, "Many of us are stuck in a political utopia. Engaging the public effectively is a big challenge."

He said, "Without a proper pipeline within parties, reforms will not work. Political parties could be pressured to nominate at least 10% women candidates."

Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, distinguished fellow at the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), stressed that women must be given the opportunity to be elected through universal suffrage. 

He suggested that implementing a proposed upper house of parliament could help resolve debates about proportional representation.

Debapriya noted that women MPs from reserved seats often feel inferior because they represent multiple constituencies without strong party influence. 

He highlighted that without economic participation or progress in social issues like child marriage, women's overall empowerment remains limited. 

He urged a closer look at women's roles across different sectors. 

BNP Organising Secretary Shama Obaid stated that dual representation of men and women in the same constituency could lead to confusion. "However, BNP supports increasing reserved women's seats to 100, emphasising that these women must not feel inferior in their roles."