Shaheen Anam described the Consensus Commission as an exclusive male-dominated circle

Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of the Manusher Jonno Foundation, criticised the lack of women’s representation in reform bodies, saying, “If we examine the reform commissions, we all know the state of women’s participation. And as for our Consensus Commission — there’s nothing more to say. It’s essentially a Boys’ Club.”

She made the remarks on Saturday during a roundtable titled “Women’s Seats in the National Parliament and Women’s Political Empowerment” at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka. The event, organised by Prothom Alo, featured a concept paper on women’s seats in parliament presented by senior correspondent Naznin Akhter.

Shaheen Anam noted a persistent tendency to exclude women and push them to the margins. She expressed disappointment that the government, from which many had expected progress on women’s issues, had failed to address discrimination. Referring to the treatment of the Women’s Reform Commission, she said, “The way it was spoken about and its members publicly humiliated — the government stayed silent. That has hurt us deeply and raises the question of where women truly stand in our society.”

She further argued that discussions on equal rights consistently face backlash. On the proposal to allocate only 5 per cent for direct elections, she said it was “laughable,” and questioned why decisions about women’s rights were made solely through talks with political parties.

The roundtable was moderated by Shumana Sharmin and attended by figures including Shireen Parveen Huq, head of the Commission on Reforms on Women’s Issues; Badiul Alam Majumdar, head of the Electoral System Reform Commission; Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director of the Campaign for Popular Education and former caretaker government adviser; Fauzia Moslem, president of the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad; Khondaker Golam Moazzem, CPD Research Director; Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori; Gita Das, chairperson of Naripokkho; Taslima Akhter, president of Garment Workers’ Solidarity; Ilira Dewan, member of the Local Government Reform Commission; and Nazifa Jannat, organiser of the July Movement and a student.