Dhaka, July 23 -- Despite notable progress in education, employment, and local-level political participation, women in Bangladesh remain significantly underrepresented at the national level, raising serious concerns among gender equality advocates.

While Bangladesh had been historically led by female heads of government - including a female Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition - experts argue that such symbolic leadership masks the broader exclusion of women from meaningful political power.

Currently, 50 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) are reserved for women. However, a 2024 study by Democracy Watch reveals that women secured only 8% of the general parliamentary seats through direct elections, underscoring limit...