Democracy International organised a national conference on the occasion of International Women's Day.
The conference  entitled “Economic Empowerment for the Advancement of Women's Political Leadership” emphasised the pivotal role of women's economic empowerment in Bangladesh's political advancement.
Over 100 women leaders from the three main political parties - Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party - participated in this event held at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday, said a press release.
One of the primary objectives of this conference, held in commemoration of Women's Day 2024 and its theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,” was to explore the significant correlation between women's economic empowerment and the development of political leadership in Bangladesh.
At the outset of the conference, Dr Md Abdul Alim, Democracy International Principle Director drew upon global analyses to demonstrate how financial independence fosters women's political participation and strengthens political parties.
Analysing the wealth disclosures of female candidates in the 12th national election of Bangladesh, Dr Alim noted that candidates with relatively higher incomes and wealth were better equipped to surmount the barriers to political participation and secure more opportunities within their parties.
The keynote address outlined recommendations for political parties, election commissions, and government initiatives to enhance women's participation. Additionally, it highlighted the crucial role of private and international organisations in these endeavours.
Democracy International, with the support of UK International Development (FCDO), is implementing the Bangladesh Strengthening Political Accountability for Citizen Empowerment (B-SPACE) project to bolster internal democracy within political parties in Bangladesh and foster inter-party tolerance and cooperation.
Panel discussions involving participants from political parties, civil society, and the media yielded proposals for strategic plans to promote gender equality and increase women's involvement in politics.
Participants in the panel discussions included Salim Mahmud MP, Research and Information Affairs Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Awami League; Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Joint Secretary General of the National Executive Committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party; Ahsan Adelur Rahman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of Jatiya Party; Aroma Dutta MP, Executive Director of PRIPTrust; and Sharmin Murshid, Executive Director of Broti Samaj Kalyan Sanstha.

Dr. Salim Mahmud said investment for women is a comprehensive issue, not only women should be given money, but there should be management of spending that money.
Advocate Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Joint Secretary General of Bangladesh Nationalist Party BNP, supported the proposal to cancel the provision of deposit confiscation of women candidates that appeared in the conference and said that the media should be involved in this matter.
Jatiya Party Vice Chairman and Treasurer Ahsan Adelur Rahman said that the Election Commission must confirm the obligation to give 33% women in party nominations.
Preptrust Executive Director Aroma Dutta MP said that women's empowerment is a place to see how far women's economic activities have progressed.
Highlighting the historical perspective of men and women, Executive Director of Brati Samaj Kalyan Sansthan Sharmin Murshid said, “Women have to struggle more to move forward.”
For over a decade, Democracy International has spearheaded the “Narir Jaye, Sobar Jay” campaign on women's political empowerment in Bangladesh.
The campaign has cultivated a diverse multi-party network of over 20,000 women leaders nationwide, facilitating the involvement of 6,829 women in grassroots committees to date, it said.
Aminul Ehsan, Deputy Chief of Party (Program) at Democracy International, delivered the opening speech of the National Conference, while Lipika Biswas, Senior Director, and Anindya Rahman, Deputy Director, conducted the programme. Dana L Olds, Chief of the Party of Democracy International, delivered the closing speech.