Adviser to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Sharmeen S Murshid today spoke at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Capital. Photo : PID

DHAKA, August 10, 2025 (BSS) – Adviser to the Ministries of Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Sharmeen S Murshid today highlighted the government’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment and expanding opportunities for women in Bangladesh.

The adviser said while speaking as the chief guest at a policy dialogue titled “Election Campaign Funding (Women Candidates) Ordinance” held at the Krishibid Institution, organized under the B-Space project of Democracy International (DI) with financial support from UKAID, said a press release.

She welcomed the draft ordinance presented at the policy dialogue on public funding for women candidates and praised the diverse stakeholder feedback shared during the event.

The dialogue brought together leaders from political parties, the Election Commission, members of the Women Reform Commission, representatives from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, July Konnya, media professionals, and civil society leaders.

Sharmeen S Murshid described the dialogue as a significant milestone towards Bangladesh’s democratic journey, reflecting a collective commitment from all political parties to strengthen national leadership and reform through women’s empowerment.

At the event, a gender-sensitive public funding framework for women candidates was proposed with a simplified application process and robust monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency. 

DI Country Director Dr. Md. Abdul Alim presented the draft and discussed its key proposals.

Speakers unanimously agreed that the initiative would play a vital role in promoting inclusive and representative governance. 

Political leaders expressed support for the ordinance and pledged to refine and pass it swiftly for implementation. 

The Election Commission also assured that, once adopted, it would take effective steps to enforce it.

DI Chief of Party Catherine Cecil said that international research shows public funding significantly increases women’s political representation. She emphasized that Bangladesh now has a transformative opportunity to reshape its democratic landscape, and that public funding would ensure equal opportunities for women to move forward.