On September 3, 2025, a roundtable discussion on “Women’s Effective and Fruitful Representation in Parliament: Direct Election for Reserved Women’s Seats” was held at the CIRDAP Auditorium, organized by the Social Action Committee to mark International CEDAW Day 2025. The session was moderated by Dr. Fauzia Moslem, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, while the concept paper was presented by Khushi Kabir, Coordinator of Nijera Kori.
Khushi Kabir emphasized that ensuring women’s democratic rights is essential for governance, proposing that parliament be expanded to 450 seats with 150 reserved exclusively for women, filled through direct elections rather than party nominations.
Former MP Dr. Nilufar Chowdhury Moni (BNP) criticized parties for failing to implement 33% women’s representation under the RPO, stressing dignity and equality for women. Advocate S.M.A. Sabur (Acting President, Jatiya Party) called for ratifying CEDAW Articles 2 and 16(1)(c), while Barrister Shamim Haider Patwary (Secretary General, JP) suggested preparing a memorandum with signatures from political parties and demanded 50% representation for women in the upper house.
Ruhin Hossain Prince (CPB) urged raising awareness among women to exercise voting rights. Saiful Haq (Revolutionary Workers Party) highlighted patriarchal barriers, calling for party nominations in general seats, Election Commission support, and joint struggle by men and women. Bazlur Rashid Firoz (BaSaD) argued that reserved seats should be retained but filled through direct elections. Maleka Banu (General Secretary, BMP) said women’s participation remains marginal and stressed the need to build constituencies for reserved women’s seats.
Representatives from various organizations, including Citizen for Good Governance, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, Democracy International, Dalit Women’s Group, BRAC, and Nari Sangskar Commission, echoed support for direct elections, inclusion of demands in party manifestos, and women-friendly political spaces.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Fauzia Moslem reiterated that CEDAW’s principles of non-discrimination, equality, and accountability must guide reforms. She stressed that increasing women’s reserved seats should be temporary (2–3 terms) until constituencies are ready, and warned against patriarchal resistance, misogyny, and divisive politics. She called for unity to further consolidate and strengthen the women’s movement.
The program was attended by leaders from political parties, representatives of Social Action Committee, Secretaries, member organizations, officials of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, and journalists from print and electronic media. The event was conducted by Jana Goswami, Director of Advocacy and Networking.
