Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory reveals a persistent paradox. Despite the prominence of women in national leadership, strong female voter turnout, and significant economic participation, particularly in the ready-made garment sector, their substantive engagement in formal politics remains limited. This essay examines how structural constraints within major political parties, notably the Awami League (AL) and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), as well as broader societal norms, have shaped and sustained this disparity under both AL- and BNP-led governments. It argues for a more inclusive and intersectional model of political representation to bridge the gap between women’s symbolic visibility and their actual influence within Bangladesh’s political institutions.
Hear from women leading change in the political space share their experiences and insights.
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