Parliament looked 'colourful' with women MPs' participation today: Speaker

The national parliament witnessed a lively atmosphere as 50 women MPs from reserved seats attended the House for the first time. Welcoming their presence, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said that the parliament looked “colourful” with the participation of women lawmakers.

At the beginning of Sunday’s session, the Speaker congratulated the newly participating members, saying, “Today the parliament looks very colourful. With the arrival of women members, the House feels complete.”

Although the first parliamentary session concluded on April 29, the women MPs from reserved seats took oath on May 3. They joined parliamentary proceedings for the first time nearly a month later.

During the question-and-answer session, after a few initial questions from male lawmakers, the Speaker noted, “Women members have joined today, they should be given opportunities.” He then allowed BNP reserved seat MP Rehana Akhter Ranu to pose a question.

Before asking her question, Ranu said, “Whether flowers bloom or not, today is spring in this parliament—our 50 members have brought it.”

Addressing the Speaker, she added, “We want to see you not as a strict headmaster, but as women-friendly.”

Ranu further said that if given the opportunity, women MPs would become not just ornaments of parliament but pride of women in society. She also expressed her desire to be elected to parliament seven times, like the Speaker.

In response, the Speaker humorously said, “You cannot become an MP seven times by giving speeches alone. Work closely with your constituents. Not just seven, you could even become an MP 27 times.”

He later urged all women members to actively participate in the question-and-answer sessions rather than limiting themselves to speeches.