Munni Chowdhury Medha 

In the political history of Bangladesh, women’s leadership within the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has carved out a distinct chapter. When the party’s founder, the late President Ziaur Rahman, established the BNP, he emphasized women’s empowerment and their active participation in politics. He firmly believed that building “national unity” required the inclusion of people from all walks of life, particularly women from rural communities.

During his tenure, constitutional amendments ensured gender equality. Policies were introduced to enhance women’s participation in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Following the founding of the BNP in 1978, the establishment of the BNP Women’s Wing (Mahila Dal) became a significant platform for women to enter politics.

After the assassination of President Zia, Begum Khaleda Zia entered politics. She not only became Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister but also one of the first female heads of government in the Muslim-majority world, securing her place in history.

Under Khaleda Zia’s leadership, opportunities for women’s political engagement expanded further. Initiatives were taken to increase reserved seats for women in Parliament from 30 to 45. Women were also given representation at various tiers of local government.

 Besides , policies supporting women’s education, micro-credit, entrepreneurship, and rural development created new pathways for female advancement. The introduction of stipends for girls’ secondary education during her tenure led to significant improvements in girls’ school enrollment and retention rates.

With Tarique Rahman assuming the role of acting chairman of the BNP, women leaders have become even more active. BNP’s women leaders now have a prominent presence in media appearances, TV talk shows, and social media. Many young professional women are also joining BNP ranks. This engagement is helping to modernize the party’s image and connect it with the younger generation.

However, despite these achievements, significant challenges remain.

Today, BNP’s women leadership still revolves around the same familiar faces—approximately 20-22 known leaders who continue to dominate the stage. In the past thirty years, the party has struggled to bring forward another thirty new women leaders who could have contributed effectively from grassroots levels and diverse professional fields.

A major issue lies in the party’s failure to properly recognize and value the women leaders who work tirelessly year-round to sustain the organization. Instead, the same prominent figures receive most of the attention, leaving little room for emerging leaders. This presents a significant risk for the BNP’s future. To build connections with new generations of voters, the party urgently needs dynamic, energetic, and capable women leaders.

Similar challenges are visible in BNP’s affiliated organizations. Alongside the BNP Women’s Wing, separate women’s units should be established within the Jubo Dal (Youth Wing), Swechchhasebak Dal (Volunteers’ Wing), and other affiliated bodies. This would create more avenues for nurturing new leadership. Currently, the central committee of the Mahila Dal has been expired for eleven years without renewal. The absence of a new committee has left many capable women leaders disillusioned. Timely committee formation could have fostered positive competition and allowed new leaders to rise from the grassroots.

Above all, BNP must be sincere in strengthening women’s roles in national politics and parliamentary representation. Otherwise, there is a real risk that the country’s 52% female voters will drift away from the party. If women’s participation remains merely symbolic or for display, it will not contribute meaningfully to the party’s progress.

Ultimately, the BNP’s most critical task is to break away from old patterns and create opportunities for new women leaders. Without bringing forward a new generation of female leaders, no genuine transformation or renaissance is possible within the party’s politics.

The long history of women in nationalist politics is a story of pride, but overcoming the present challenges and fostering new leadership has now become an urgent demand of the time.

The writer is a social worker and human rights activist, former leader, Eden College Unit of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (BNP's Student Wing), former Assistant Women Affairs Secretary, Central Committee, Jatiyatabadi Swechchhasebak Dal (BNP's Volunteer Wing)