Tokenism and discrimination: Experts call for inclusive politics to empower youth and women
Advocates at the discussion pointed to ongoing challenges: youth continue to face discrimination, women entering politics are often unfairly doubted, and cyberbullying and exclusion from leadership roles remain widespread.
Despite calls for inclusive governance, women and youth remain underrepresented in national politics; experts urge the government to address structural barriers, harassment, and tokenistic participation that limit meaningful engagement and hinder the country from fully harnessing its most dynamic demographic.
Addressing the challenges, the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), in collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, hosted a roundtable on "Inclusive Politics: Women and Youth's Pathways to Leadership" today (25 September) in Dhaka.
CGS President Zillur Rahman, presiding over the dialogue, noted that Bangladesh's youth remain sidelined even a year after the July Uprising, and women continue to face societal and institutional barriers. "The success of any initiative to promote inclusive politics depends on political will," he said.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Ambassador Joris van Bommel of the Netherlands emphasised the need to tackle harassment of women in politics and structural hurdles for young leaders.
Badiul Alam Majumdar, Chair of the Interim Election Reform Commission, proposed reserving 100 parliamentary seats for women through a rotational system, highlighting the broader societal benefits of female empowerment.
Advocates at the discussion pointed to ongoing challenges: youth continue to face discrimination, women entering politics are often unfairly doubted, and cyberbullying and exclusion from leadership roles remain widespread.
Panellists stressed that genuine empowerment requires dignity and decision-making power, not mere tokenistic participation. Moderator Parvez Karim Abbasi urged society to identify and remove real obstacles, emphasising that religion is not the barrier; social attitudes are.
The dialogue concluded with the signing of a non-binding declaration on building an inclusive state, endorsed by all participants except the NCP.
The roundtable brought together political leaders, civil society members, and academics aiming to create pathways for meaningful participation and leadership.
