UN Urges Safe, Inclusive Participation for Women

With Bangladesh poised to hold its 13th National Parliament election and referendum tomorrow, the United Nations office in Bangladesh has called for the safe, inclusive, and meaningful participation of women in the electoral process.

On Wednesday at 2:00 pm, the UN reiterated this appeal via its verified Facebook page, emphasising that electoral participation is a fundamental right for all, including women and girls from marginalised groups. The statement specifically highlighted women with disabilities, women from minority communities, and individuals of diverse gender identities who face heightened risks of discrimination, exclusion, and gender-based violence.

The UN noted growing concerns raised by women’s organisations and civil society regarding violence and harassment against female candidates and voters, particularly in digital spaces. According to the UN office in Bangladesh, women engaged in politics, journalism, human rights work, and other public-facing roles have reported increasing incidents of cyberbullying, deepfake abuse, targeted harassment, and the manipulation of images and content—including AI-generated sexualised materials.

The UN reaffirmed its commitment to supporting meaningful female representation and leadership across all sectors. In Bangladesh, it is actively assisting the Election Commission to enhance women’s electoral participation and representation. Ensuring that women can vote and run for office without fear of intimidation, discrimination, online abuse, or retaliation is considered crucial for a truly inclusive democratic process.

Furthermore, the UN has urged all stakeholders—including political leaders, party members, and supporters—to refrain from any form of harassment, violence, or intimidation against women during the electoral process. This appeal applies equally to female voters and candidates, whose security and participation are essential to upholding the integrity of Bangladesh’s democracy.

The UN expressed confidence that Bangladeshi authorities will continue to take necessary measures to maintain security, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights. It also reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to support the government in safeguarding the rights and security of all citizens.

The UN emphasised that the protection, inclusion, and empowerment of women are integral to a credible, fair, and democratic electoral process.