State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obayed Islam said political parties must make psychological and policy changes to advance women and ensure their equal participation in leadership. She made the remarks on Saturday at about 11:30am during a dialogue titled “Strengthening Young Women’s Political Leadership and Restoring Democratic Space” in Siddheshwari, Dhaka.

Islam said the BNP is working on women’s empowerment and has made women’s participation mandatory in grassroots committees. She also said the new budget has been made women-friendly. According to her, women’s empowerment has not been achieved despite the country having women prime ministers for a long time.

She said women’s leadership at union and upazila levels is virtually absent, and argued that women could have entered parliament if they had received nominations in those areas. Islam added that when one of three candidates in a constituency is a woman, she is not promoted. She called on women to move forward despite obstacles at every stage.