Crisis of representation: The 2026 election and the political reality for women
Source: TBS News
It is a striking paradox. For more than three decades, Bangladesh has been led by women—an exceptional continuity across the globe. Yet the outcome of the 13th national election tells a different story. Even with women at the top position, women's presence in Parliament has declined significantly day by day.
In the elections of 1991, 1996 and 2001, women's participation was gradually increasing. The 2008 election is often seen as a milestone in terms of women's representation in the National Parliament. That year, 5.9 percent of all candidates were women, and 19 women won in directly contested seats—a record that still stands.
But in the 2026 election—widely regarded as relatively free and competitive after a long period—the share of women candidates fell to 4.08 percent. Out of more than two thousand candidates, only 84 were women. In a 300-seat Parliament, just 7 women were directly elected—the lowest number since 2001.
It is a striking paradox. For more than three decades, Bangladesh has been led by women—an exceptional continuity across the globe. Yet the outcome of the 13th national election tells a different story. Even with women at the top position, women's presence in Parliament has declined significantly day by day.
In the elections of 1991, 1996 and 2001, women's participation was gradually increasing. The 2008 election is often seen as a milestone in terms of women's representation in the National Parliament. That year, 5.9 percent of all candidates were women, and 19 women won in directly contested seats—a record that still stands.
But in the 2026 election—widely regarded as relatively free and competitive after a long period—the share of women candidates fell to 4.08 percent. Out of more than two thousand candidates, only 84 were women. In a 300-seat Parliament, just 7 women were directly elected—the lowest number since 2001.