The Women's Affairs Reform Commission has proposed a significant restructuring of the national parliament, recommending an increase in the total number of seats from 300 to 600 to ensure gender parity in political representation.
At a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday, Commission Chairperson Shireen Parveen Haque announced that the commission has called for each parliamentary constituency to elect one general seat and one reserved seat for women, both through direct voting.
The briefing followed the formal submission of the commission's final report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna earlier in the day.
Haque explained that the commission’s proposals were categorised into three sections: those that could be implemented by the current interim government, those requiring action from the next elected government, and longer-term reforms.
“We proposed establishing an independent and permanent Women’s Affairs Commission, which will monitor violations of women’s rights and ensure their protection,” she said.
Other major proposals include the removal of gender-based discrimination from family and other laws, and the recognition of food, clothing, housing, education, healthcare, and employment as fundamental constitutional rights.
The commission also recommended implementing a "zipper method" for nominating candidates in general elections, requiring political parties to maintain gender parity in their candidate lists by alternating between male and female nominees.
Members present at the press briefing included Maheen Sultan of the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development, Advocate Kamrun Nahar, Kalpona Akter of the Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation, Dr Halida Hanum Akhter, Sumaiya Islam of the Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra, Nirupa Dewan, Ferdousi Sultana, and student representative Nishita Zaman Niha.
The 10-member commission, formed in November 2024 by the interim government, was tasked with submitting its report within 90 days. The report represents months of consultations with stakeholders and aims to serve as a roadmap for building a more inclusive and equitable society.
