Sustainable democracy requires greater women’s participation: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin today said women’s participation is an imperative component of democracy and that their effective participation must be increased and ensured for a sustainable democratic system.

“We cannot consolidate democracy by leaving half of the populace outside the process. Women’s participation must increase for an effective and sustainable democracy,” he said.

The CEC made the remarks at a workshop titled “Draft Gender Equality Strategy”, organised by the UN Electoral Project at the Election Training Institute here, reports BSS.

“If we want to make democracy credible and sustainable, ensuring the participation of 50 percent of the country’s total population is essential for us,” he added.

The CEC said there would likely be a large turnout of women voters in the upcoming local government elections, but the number of women candidates might remain low due to prevailing cultural norms and beliefs.

A M M Nasir Uddin stressed the need to change people’s mindsets to strengthen institutions and raise broad-based public awareness.

Women should have appropriate opportunities and meaningful participation in elections, the CEC said, adding that the next local government elections would be highly competitive as candidates, being local residents themselves, would make every effort to bring voters to polling centres.

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Mashud said strong laws are in place to protect women, but legal measures alone are not enough to safeguard their rights. “A social revolution is also necessary,” he said.

Election Commissioner Begum Tahmida Ahmed said the issue needed to be addressed at its roots. “To increase the number of women voters, we need to reach rural and coastal areas,” she said.

Election Commissioner Md Anwarul Islam Sarker said voter registration for women should be made easier to ensure gender equality.

He stressed the need to prevent harassment of women voters and candidates and to create equal opportunities for women candidates.

Election Commissioner Brigadier General (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanauallah said women have many opportunities to participate in the country’s democratic process.

“If women are more involved in party and political decision-making processes, the number of women candidates would increase,” he said.

Sanauallah also stressed the need to take initiatives to prevent the spread of false information and misinformation against women on social media.