Without safety and security, female participation in politics impossible
Special Correspondent: AB Party held a press conference today to present its six-point recommendations in response to the Reform Commission’s proposals on women’s participation, empowerment, and eliminating discrimination. The party emphasized that ensuring equal participation, security, and economic inclusion for women is vital for national stability and development.
Key Highlights from the Press Conference:
Nasreen Sultana Mily, AB Party Joint Secretary General and in charge of International Affairs, stated: “Ensuring gender equity is a fundamental pillar of social progress. Our recommendations reflect both the people’s expectations and the country’s practical needs, serving as a milestone for long-term reform.”
Farah Naz Sattar, AB Party’s Secretary for Women Affairs, stressed:
“We propose a transformative approach to women’s empowerment and safety, ensuring meaningful political, economic, and social participation.”
Key Recommendations Submitted to the Reform Commission
- Women’s Security & Protection
- Public Transport & Urban Safety: Install CCTV monitoring, smart streetlights, and GPS tracking in public transport. Introduce ‘night bus’ services and designated ‘safe stops.’
- Workplace Safety: Implement equal pay policies, separate restrooms, and maternity leave extension to one year by 2027.
- Online & Community Safety: Establish a task force to combat cyber harassment and abuse and form community watchdog groups involving public representatives and religious leaders.
- Essential Healthcare & Sanitation
- Public Sanitation: Mandatory hygienic toilets in government and private institutions, particularly for pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
- Facilities in Religious & Commercial Centers: Ensure separate, accessible restrooms for women in major marketplaces, cafes, and places of worship, with regular inspections.
- Child & Elderly Care Centers
- Expand affordable daycare services in urban and rural areas to reduce working mothers’ dual burdens and create employment opportunities.
- Legal & Social Protection Against Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Violence Prevention: Strengthen laws, introduce co-parenting provisions in divorce cases, and provide psychological counseling services.
- Technology-Based Protection: Launch emergency helplines and mobile apps for reporting violence and seeking legal aid.
- Women’s Property Rights & Social Security
- Special Tribunal for Women’s Property Rights: Ensure fair inheritance distribution and fast-track legal resolutions.
- Local Property Protection Centers: Establish ‘Women’s Property Protection Centers’ at the union and village levels.
- Social Security Benefits: Strengthen pension schemes for widows, divorced, and elderly women, ensuring proper monitoring and disbursement.
Conclusion & Call for Action
AB Party urged the government and policymakers to adopt these recommendations, ensuring that women’s security, rights, and economic inclusion become national priorities. The party believes that a balanced, culturally aware approach to women’s empowerment will drive sustainable social progress.
Senior AB Party leaders present at the event included:
- Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad (Secretary General)
- Hajera Mehjabin (International Affairs Committee Member)
- Razia Sultana (Relief & Rehabilitation Secretary)
- Shahinur Akter Sheela (Assistant Secretary for Women’s Development)
- Farzana Akter Mitu (Student Wing – DU Joint Coordinator)
- Sumaiya Sharmin Farhana (Assistant Entrepreneur & Employment Secretary)
- Additional representatives from AB Party’s Women’s Wing, Student Wing, and Social Welfare Units.
By implementing these reforms, AB Party aims to secure a safer, more inclusive, and progressive Bangladesh for women across all sectors.
