Dhaka, Jan. 23 -- Despite decades of pledges to ensure women's political empowerment, the upcoming national election paints a starkly different picture, with female representation on the ballot remaining alarmingly low.

More than 30 registered political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, have fielded no female candidates, leaving women to make up less than 4.5% of all aspirants in the 13th parliamentary election.

Of the 2,568 nomination papers submitted for the election, only 109 were filed by women-just 4.24 per cent of the total, according to data reviewed by UNB.

The election will see participation from 51 political parties, yet more than 30 of them, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, have failed to nominate even a single woman ...