Feni roundtable urges enhancing woman representation in local polls

The event, titled "Women's Representation in the Upcoming Local Government Elections: Expectations and the Way Forward," was organised by Bikoshito Nari Network with support from The Hunger Project Bangladesh under its democracy-strengthening programme.

Held at a convention hall of a hotel in the Feni town, the discussion was chaired by Bikoshito Nari Network Feni President Jahanara Begum and moderated by Zohra Akter Ruma.

Among those who addressed the event were Feni District BNP Member Secretary Alal Uddin Alal; Joint Convener of the District BNP Gazi Habibullah Manik; Sujan Feni General Secretary Md Shahadat Hossain; Jamaat-e-Islami Feni District Publicity Secretary ANM Abdur Rahim; Islami Andolan Bangladesh Feni District General Secretary Maulana Ekramul Haque Bhuiyan; National Citizen Party (NCP) Feni Member Secretary Shah Wali Ullah Manik; JSD (Rab) Feni General Secretary Samsuddin Majumder Chachchu; AB Party Central Committee Joint Organising Secretary Md Shah Alam Badal; Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal Feni Senior Vice-President Jannatul Ferdous Mita; Bikoshito Nari Network Cox's Bazar President Helenaz Taher; Chandpur President Hasina Akter; Cumilla President Shahana Haque; Chattogram Committee Member Soma Mutsuddi; former Feni Press Club President Muhammad Abu Taher Bhuiyan, among others.

Speakers at the discussion said women would struggle to achieve meaningful political representation unless political parties moved away from dynastic and family-based politics.

They stressed that women should secure their place in politics based on merit and competence rather than family connections. The speakers also noted that women's significant progress in education reflects their growing capacity to assume leadership roles and participate more actively in governance.