Are reserved seats in the parliament essential and sufficient for
ensuring women's participation in politics? Or are they merely
'ornamental' in the parliament? Present your argument.
Introduction: Bangladesh has a unicameral parliament. It is
composed of 350 members, of whom 300 are elected from
single-member constituencies on popular votes, while 50 seats
are reserved for women to be distributed among different
parliamentary parties on the basis of a proportional system. As a
democratic country Bangladesh must have participation of women
in every sector especially politics. Bangladesh is also a very
conservative country so women participating voluntarily in
something as controversial as politics is not a nice sight for the
people of Bangladesh so many women are reluctant about it but
having reserved seats for them makes it easier to participate but it
could be for show only.
Women in the parliamentary process: Despite formal equality,
women members of parliament (MPs) are significantly less likely
to move private members' bills compared to their male
counterparts. Between 1991 and 2015, only four bills were moved
by women MPs, all of which focused on women's issues. In
contrast, male MPs have moved bills addressing women's
representation and combating domestic violence. Women MPs
have fared better in asking questions and raising motions, with a
notable increase in activism in the ninth parliament due to the
presence of a larger number of women MPs. The ninth parliament
, had the highest number of women members and showed
increased activism. The increase in descriptive representation,
especially early elections of reserved-seat women MPs, has
positively impacted women's parliamentary involvement.
However, despite some progress, the overall imbalance in
legislative participation between male and female MPs persists.
Problems of women's participation in Bangladesh politics:
1.Mastan culture and illegal arms: The presence of mastan
culture and the widespread availability of illegal arms in
Bangladesh pose significant barriers to women's participation in
politics. A study revealed that 34% of candidates in the 1996
parliamentary election employed mastans This violence
perpetuates a sense of insecurity among women, dissuading
them from entering politics, as they fear retaliation from rivals.
Consequently, many women refrain from pursuing politics as a
profession, reinforcing patriarchal structures within the society.
2.Corruption: Corruption perpetuates a patriarchal system, where
women struggle to gain political power due to financial constraints
and societal norms favoring dishonesty over sincerity.
3.Fear of sexual harassment: Sexual harassment in Bangladesh
politics is a significant barrier preventing women from
participating fully. In a patriarchal society, women are often
viewed as
ensuring women's participation in politics? Or are they merely
'ornamental' in the parliament? Present your argument.
Introduction: Bangladesh has a unicameral parliament. It is
composed of 350 members, of whom 300 are elected from
single-member constituencies on popular votes, while 50 seats
are reserved for women to be distributed among different
parliamentary parties on the basis of a proportional system. As a
democratic country Bangladesh must have participation of women
in every sector especially politics. Bangladesh is also a very
conservative country so women participating voluntarily in
something as controversial as politics is not a nice sight for the
people of Bangladesh so many women are reluctant about it but
having reserved seats for them makes it easier to participate but it
could be for show only.
Women in the parliamentary process: Despite formal equality,
women members of parliament (MPs) are significantly less likely
to move private members' bills compared to their male
counterparts. Between 1991 and 2015, only four bills were moved
by women MPs, all of which focused on women's issues. In
contrast, male MPs have moved bills addressing women's
representation and combating domestic violence. Women MPs
have fared better in asking questions and raising motions, with a
notable increase in activism in the ninth parliament due to the
presence of a larger number of women MPs. The ninth parliament
, had the highest number of women members and showed
increased activism. The increase in descriptive representation,
especially early elections of reserved-seat women MPs, has
positively impacted women's parliamentary involvement.
However, despite some progress, the overall imbalance in
legislative participation between male and female MPs persists.
Problems of women's participation in Bangladesh politics:
1.Mastan culture and illegal arms: The presence of mastan
culture and the widespread availability of illegal arms in
Bangladesh pose significant barriers to women's participation in
politics. A study revealed that 34% of candidates in the 1996
parliamentary election employed mastans This violence
perpetuates a sense of insecurity among women, dissuading
them from entering politics, as they fear retaliation from rivals.
Consequently, many women refrain from pursuing politics as a
profession, reinforcing patriarchal structures within the society.
2.Corruption: Corruption perpetuates a patriarchal system, where
women struggle to gain political power due to financial constraints
and societal norms favoring dishonesty over sincerity.
3.Fear of sexual harassment: Sexual harassment in Bangladesh
politics is a significant barrier preventing women from
participating fully. In a patriarchal society, women are often
viewed as
