Stress on raising women’s participation in politics

SYLHET, OCT 26: Speakers at an event in the city today demanded strengthening women's participation in politics at all levels and increasing the number of female candidates in the upcoming general elections.

They sought cooperation from the political parties, the Election Commission and the civil society to meet the demands for ensuring equal rights of the women in this regard.

"Women's win, win for all" (Narir Joye Sobar Joy), a female network formed and inspired by the Democracy International, organised the event styled 'participation of women in politics' at a restaurant here.

The speakers also focused on problems being faced by the women activists at all levels in all the political parties.

Lack of democratic practices in the political parties, poor space of women in all spheres of the society, corruption in nominating candidates by parties, use of muscle power and illegal money, poor state of women in economic affairs as well as male dominant society were some of the problems, they noted.

Later at a press conference, they also stressed the need for raising awareness among the women activists in all parties for ensuring the rights of women, who constitute 51 per cent of the country's total population.

The speakers include district Awami League women affairs secretary Naznin Hossain, City Mohila AL general secretary Asma Kamran and joint secretary Helen Ahmed, district Mohila AL organizing secretary Ruba Gazi, District Mohila BNP president Papia Chowdhury and general secretary Saleha Kabir Shepy, City Mohila Dol president Samia Begum Chowdhury and general secretary Roksana Begum Shahnaj, also panel mayor of city corporation, District Mohila AL vice-president Shamsunnahar Minu and vice-president of the city unit Khairunnesa Shelly.

Besides, 20 other women activists took part in the event.