They are half the population, yet out of over 2000 candidates in Bangladesh’s upcoming election, only 83 are women. For female candidates it’s a war on two fronts. While one is for votes the other is against a political machinery built to sideline them.
They face what their male counterparts never face- whether it be online harassment or silence within their own parties. Yet they contest not just to win votes but to shatter the assumption that politics is not for them and solely a man’s game.
They are stepping into the political arena with determination, ready to make their voices heard and pave the way for change.
The obstacles that the women candidates are facing, are reinforced by deep-rooted social attitudes, religious conservatism and the widespread perception. Bangladeshi politics is a male-dominated arena that continue to discourage women from even stepping into the race.
Manisha Chakraborty, a candidate from the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, recalled the moment she decided to run for the election. For her, it was the result of years spent in politics and a deep commitment to public service. “The election is a chance to serve my community more effectively. Rising living costs, worries about safety, limited access to healthcare, and insecure employment have pushed me to take a stand,” she said.
For many women like Chakraborty, who are joining this ‘national parliamentary election’ for the first time, the motivation comes from the challenges they face in daily life.
Another female candidate Shama Obayed, from BNP on Faridpur-2 constituency, linked her participation to a longer struggle for democracy. She said her decision to contest follows a 17-year struggle and the July 24 uprising, with the main goal of rebuilding a democratic state and restoring people’s voting rights.
Even with this hope, the road to the polls has been far from smooth. Women candidates face structural barriers long before campaigning even begins, yet they remain determined to make their voices heard and carve out a place for themselves.
Women make up nearly half of Bangladesh’s population and around 63 million voters, yet they represent only 4.26% of candidates in this election, 83 out of 2,029. At least 30 parties did not nominate a single female candidate, underscoring the persistent gender gap in political representation.
Securing party nominations remains a major challenge, as political parties often prioritise male candidates. Even within parties that promote women’s participation, critics argue that support is frequently limited to rhetoric rather than concrete backing.
Dilshana Parul, a candidate of the Dhaka-19 from NCP, described her election campaign as “hectic, challenging and stressful,” noting about the mixed support she has received from both her party and family. While some party members and family members have stood by her sincerely, others have openly opposed her candidacy.
“Those who want to support me are doing it sincerely, but there are also disagreements within the party just like at home,” she said, noting that similar divisions exist everywhere.
In addition, safety concerns during field campaigning and exposure to online harassment have added further pressure. According to Parul, social media platforms have made it easier for individuals to engage in personal attacks, including slut-shaming and character assassination.
She said that male candidates rarely face even a fraction of the abuse directed at women, highlighting the gendered nature of political hostility. “Online spaces have become particularly unsafe for women candidates,” she said, adding that such attacks often aim to silence women rather than debate their political ideas.
Despite these constraints, women candidates have often relied on grassroots-focused campaign strategies. Door-to-door outreach, small community gatherings and direct engagement with women and young voters have played a central role in their efforts to build trust.
Reflecting on her campaign experience, Chakraborty called both the journey and public response “extraordinary and unprecedented.” She claimed to be receiving strong support from young voters, working-class people and women, in the Barishal-5 constituency.
According to her, if the election is held fairly and without the influence of black money or muscle power, the political landscape of the constituency could change significantly.
Obayed said women candidates are not getting a level playing field. She raised concerns about minority women being intimidated during the election process and urged the Election Commission to ensure a safe and neutral environment so everyone can vote freely.
But she described the public response as “extremely good,” saying many voters are eager for a fair and normal election where they can choose their representatives freely.
Expressing frustration over the low number of women candidates, Parul rejected the notion that women lack political capability. She argued that many women are often more qualified than their male counterparts but are held back by the country’s political structure and culture, which fail to create space for women across all parties. Despite the challenges, she remained confident about securing victory in her constituency.
Women’s participation in the 13th national election carries hope. Each woman candidate challenges the idea that politics belongs to men alone signalling the possibility of a more inclusive future.
As the election arrives, journeys of these women stand as a reminder that meaningful democracy cannot be achieved without ensuring women’s equal space, not just as voters, but as leaders shaping the nation’s path forward.
