On the eve of Bangladesh’s 13th national parliamentary election and concurrent referendum scheduled for Thursday, the United Nations has issued a renewed appeal to ensure the safe, inclusive, and meaningful participation of women in the electoral process.
Reiterating its stance through its verified Facebook page on Wednesday at 2:00 pm, the UN emphasised that women’s right to vote, stand for office, and engage in political activity is a fundamental aspect of human rights. The appeal particularly highlighted the importance of enabling women from marginalised groups—including persons with disabilities, minority communities, and individuals with diverse gender identities—to participate freely and without hindrance.
According to the UN’s report on Bangladesh, incidents of violence, harassment, and online abuse targeting women candidates and voters are on the rise ahead of the elections. Female political leaders, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders are increasingly subjected to cyberbullying, deepfake content, manipulated images, orchestrated harassment, and AI-generated sexually suggestive material. Addressing these risks requires not only government intervention but also the active support of society at large.
The UN stressed that promoting meaningful representation and leadership of women is a core part of its ongoing work. It is providing technical and policy assistance to the Bangladesh Election Commission to ensure women can exercise their rights to vote and stand for office. Safeguarding women from fear, online abuse, or retaliation is considered essential to the integrity of the electoral process.
Political leaders, parties, and supporters have been urged to refrain from any form of harassment, violence, or intimidation directed at women during the election. The UN reaffirmed that ensuring women’s safe participation is a prerequisite for an inclusive and democratic electoral process.
Bangladesh authorities are expected to take continuous measures to maintain law and order, safeguard citizen rights, and uphold security. The UN has pledged its continued support to the government in protecting the rights and safety of all participants.
Key Information on Women’s Electoral Participation
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Candidate Safety | Protection from violence, harassment, and online abuse |
| Voter Rights | Ability to vote without fear of retaliation |
| Marginalised Women | Includes women with disabilities, minority community members, and those with diverse gender identities |
| UN Support | Technical and policy assistance to Bangladesh Election Commission |
| Call to Action | Urging political leaders, parties, and supporters to ensure fearless participation |
The UN emphasised that active engagement from both national and international stakeholders is crucial to guarantee a fair, inclusive, and safe electoral environment for all women in Bangladesh.