Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairman Tarique Rahman, on Sunday called on political parties to step up efforts to ensure women’s safety and promote their meaningful participation in politics, stressing the need for stronger protections both online and offline.
Speaking at a seminar in Dhaka, Zaima said political organisations must take greater responsibility for addressing cyberbullying, physical security and internal harassment.
The event, titled Women’s Struggle for Democracy: Contributions and the Bangladesh of Tomorrow, was held at the Bangladesh Institute of Strategic Studies (BISS).
She argued that beyond existing state laws, political parties should establish and strictly enforce their own internal codes of conduct to safeguard women within party structures. “Every party should have clear guidelines to prevent abuse and ensure that women receive support when incidents occur,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of long-term leadership development, Zaima stressed the need to create a continuous pipeline for women leaders, starting from student politics and extending through local and national governance. “Without building and sustaining this pathway, capable women will not get the opportunities they deserve,” she said.
She noted that women often face systemic barriers in politics, including limited access to opportunities compared to men. To address this gap, she underscored the importance of mentorship, training, and institutional support to nurture future women leaders.
Zaima also pointed to financial constraints as a major obstacle to women’s political participation.
She urged political parties to provide greater financial backing to reduce inequality and enable more women to engage actively in political life. “Access to funding can make a critical difference. With proper support, more women will be able to step forward and lead,” she said.
Concluding her remarks, Zaima called for a shift in societal attitudes to fully harness the potential of young people, saying an inclusive and forward-looking Bangladesh requires a fundamental change in mindset.
