DHAKA: Democracy International (DI) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) convened a roundtable on ‘Women’s Political Leadership in Celebration of International Women’s Day’ in a city hotel on Wednesday.

Senior representatives from different political parties, including Awami League, BNP, and Jatiya Party, attended the roundtable to encourage greater participation by women in Bangladeshi politics and celebrate International Women’s Day.

Democracy International (DI) partnered with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) organized the programme, said a press release.

The event highlighted successful women political leaders and opportunities to strengthen and increase women’s political leadership at all levels and throughout Bangladesh.

Meher Afroze Chumki, State Minister of Women and Children’s Affairs; Dr Mashiur Rahman, Adviser to the Prime Minister, Economic Affairs; Raushan Ershad, MP, Leader of the Opposition, Bangladesh National Parliament; Dipu Moni, MP, Joint General Secretary, Central Committee, AL; Begum Selima Rahman, Vice Chairman, Central Committee, BNP; Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Member, Standing Committee, BNP; Dr Salina Hayat Ivy, Mayor, Nayaranganj City Corporation; Mahfuza Begum, Chairman, Chauhali Upazila, Sirajganj District; Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain, Former Election Commissioner; Shirin Sultana, General Secretary, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal, Central Committee; and Janina Jaruzelski, USAID Mission Director took part in the roundtable discussion.

Addressing the roundtable, USAID Mission Director Janina Jaruzelski said, “Giving a voice to over half of the population is fundamental to the very nature of democracy.” “In a strong democracy women must fully participate in the decision-making process in all aspects of life,” Janina added.

Together, DI’s Narir Joye Shobar Joy campaign to promote women’s leadership and UNDP’s Upazila and Union Parishad Governance Projects are supporting over 13,000 women leaders across Bangladesh to succeed in leadership positions and strengthen gender equality in Bangladesh politics.

BDST: 1550 HRS, MAR 05, 2014