Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury said inclusion of women in political parties leads the country to a more effective democracy.
She said that more than half of the total population of Bangladesh are women and the number of women voters is more than men.
She made the statement while participating in the discussion titled 'Leveraging Parliamentary Democracy for Political Empowerment of Women: Bangladesh Perspective' organised by Bangladesh High Commission at Churchill Hall of the House of Commons, UK on Tuesday afternoon.
Egyptian Ambassador meets Speaker Shirin Sharmin
According to a press release from the Parliament Secretariat, the speaker said that women should get a place in the judiciary, executive department and national parliament because of their qualifications.
She said that being the first woman Speaker is considered by many as a great example of women's empowerment.
“it is a symbol, which shows that if a woman can acquire enough qualifications she can reach the pinnacle of success.”
She said the state must adopt gender sensitive laws and policies for women's political empowerment.
Chaudhury said that if gender balance is maintained the empowerment of women in the country will be faster and gender responsive budgeting can play a helpful role in this regard.
She said that to ensure the political empowerment of women, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had made provisions for 15 reserved seats for women in Parliament.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has increased the number of reserved seats for women to 50.
She said that the process of including more number of women parliamentarians in Parliament for direct elections is ongoing.
The Speaker later participated in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association meeting.
After the meeting, she had a courtesy call and exchanged views with CPA Secretary General Stephen Twigg.
Parliamentarians of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, diplomats, representatives from the Commonwealth countries, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in the United Kingdom Said Muna Tasneem were present at the event.