Women’s Political Rights Held Hostage by Religion-Based Politics

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has warned that the increasing influence of religion‑based politics is restricting women’s political participation and undermining gender equality and social diversity.

In a research report presented in Dhaka, TIB highlighted that politics driven by money, muscle power, and religion is weakening democratic values and accountability in governance. The watchdog said that the expansion of religion‑based political influence has become increasingly visible and is threatening not only women’s rights but also religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity.

The study noted a significant rise in candidates from Islamic political parties for the upcoming national election, while women’s participation has declined. Candidates from Islamic parties now account for over 36% of total contestants, compared with 9.5% in the previous national election. Meanwhile, female candidates make up only 4.02% of contestants, down from 5.15% previously.

TIB also criticised the interim government for failing to ensure equality, human dignity, justice, equal rights, and freedom of expression for all citizens. Although some progress has been made in judicial reform, the report pointed out that partisan appointments and deteriorating law and order — including murder, robbery, and violence against women and children — have continued, with mob violence on the rise.

The research recorded around 600 incidents of political violence between August 2024 and December 2025, resulting in at least 158 deaths. The findings indicate that partisan and patronage‑based politics remain entrenched across various sectors, constraining women’s political opportunities and wider democratic participation.