Progress in political representation of women in the country has improved in terms of quantity, but there are still challenges to maintain the trend, said speakers at a dialogue on Tuesday.

They said quality women representation is yet to be ensured as they hardly get their voices heard and get proper places at work because of their entrance into male dominated politics.

The dialogue ‘women’s political representation: lessons from global experiences for Bangladesh’ was held at CIRDAP auditorium where State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury attended as chief guest and Chairperson of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the ministry Meher Afroz MP as special guest.

Organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue, it was also attended by women members of parliament from both treasury and opposition benches. Rounaq Jahan of Columbia University presented a paper on the topic. Professor Rehman Sobhan presided.

Representatives of different women organisations and non-governmental organisations were also present.

The speakers said to continue with the women representation in the politics, including parliament and local government level, it needs specific agenda like fixing up terms of reference of the women representatives — both selected and elected.

They said increase of women representation in all stages including cabinet, parliament and political parties has been possible due to quota provision and movement by the ogranisations involved in women emancipation.

“But no one knows what would be the progress in the next five years,” said Ayesha Khanum of Bangladesh Mohila Parisad while delivering speech on the keynote paper.

The keynote presenter pointed out that in the current rate of progress in women’s representation, Bangladesh like many developing countries would need 40 years to get gender parity.

Over the last decade from 1997, percentage of women members of parliaments has increased to 18 per cent from 12 percent, which is very slow.

Popularity: 2% [?]