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Harassment and Threats Shadow Women Candidates Ahead of Bangladesh Election
Feb 09, 2026As Bangladesh heads into parliamentary elections on Thursday, growing reports of harassment, intimidation and threats against women candidates are raising serious concerns about women’s safety and their ability to participate meaningfully in politics.
According to Election Commission data, women make up only about 4 percent of candidates contesting the 13th Jatiya Sangsad election. Of the 51 political parties in the race, 30 have not nominated a single woman candidate, despite women accounting for nearly half of the country’s population. Voting will take place in 299 constituencies, after polling in one seat was cancelled following the death of a candidate.
Several women candidates say they are facing coordinated harassment both online and on the ground. National Citizens’ Party (NCP) candidate Dilshana Parul reported sustained online abuse, particularly targeting her decision to wear a headscarf. She also alleged threats against her campaign workers and efforts to intimidate women voters.
Another NCP candidate, Nabila Tasnid, said her campaign materials were vandalised and accused rival groups of spreading misinformation to undermine her candidacy. She also criticised what she described as a lack of institutional support to address violence and intimidation against women candidates.
Gonosanghati Andolon candidate Taslima Akhter said online abuse is “easier and harsher” when directed at women, but vowed to continue campaigning on issues such as women’s rights, education and anti-corruption despite the threats.
Concerns have intensified following remarks by Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, who said women cannot lead his party and confirmed that Jamaat has not fielded any women candidates in the election. Rights activists argue that such statements reinforce patriarchal norms and further discourage women from entering politics.
Human rights organisations have also sounded the alarm. A recent Human Rights Watch report noted an increase in violence against women, girls and minority groups ahead of the polls, linking the trend in part to pressure from hardline groups opposed to gender equality.
With campaigning set to end on February 10, analysts warn that the sustained targeting of women candidates highlights a deeper democratic crisis. They say ensuring women’s safety, dignity and equal political space will be a critical test for the Election Commission, political parties and the state as Bangladesh prepares to vote.
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