BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan. File Photo

DHAKA, August 17, 2025 (BSS) – BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan today said that seminars alone are not sufficient to achieve true liberation and equality for women.

He emphasized that meaningful change requires a shift in mindset, urging society to embrace a deeper commitment to empowering women in all spheres of life.

He made the remarks at a seminar titled “The Interrelation between the July Uprising and Women's Political and Economic Empowerment,” held in the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Hotel in the city’s Gulshan area. The Khan Foundation organised the event.

Executive Director of the Khan Foundation, Advocate Rokhsana Khondker, presided over the seminar, with an opening speech delivered by Dr. Adi Walker. Diplomats from various countries, including French Ambassador Marie Masdupuy, also took part in the event.

Dr. Khan questioned why women do not hold more than 50 percent of the seats in the Jatiya Sangsad, despite comprising over half of Bangladesh’s population. He highlighted their significant contribution to the national economy, noting that approximately four million women are employed in the garment sector. He argued that without a shift in societal mindset, the movement for women’s liberation cannot succeed.

The BNP leader dismissed the argument that women cannot win elections if nominated, stating that a candidate's success depends on popularity. He emphasized the need to bring women into the political mainstream, calling it the core issue that must be addressed.

Dr. Khan also provided a global perspective on women's suffrage, noting that women in the Western world gained the right to vote only about a century ago. He pointed out that in Switzerland, women were granted the right to vote as recently as 1971—the same year Bangladesh gained independence. He urged political parties to consciously offer more opportunities to female candidates in the February 2026 election, acknowledging that no party has yet achieved 30 percent female representation.