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https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/11/bangladesh-election-islamist-party-women-freedoms>
"As the clock hit midnight, the women held their flame torches aloft and
marched into the Dhaka night. “The people have given their blood, now we want
equality,” they shouted above the roar of the traffic.
For many in Bangladesh, the past few weeks have been a cause for jubilation.
The first free and fair elections in 17 years have been promised for Thursday,
after the toppling of the regime of Sheikh Hasina in a bloody student-led
uprising in August 2024 in which more than 1,000 people died.
Opposition figures long persecuted and jailed are now running as candidates,
freely holding rallies for the first time in years. The former prime minister
is languishing in exile in India and facing a death sentence for crimes against
humanity in Bangladesh, and her Awami League party is banned from contesting
the election.
Yet for swathes of women in the country, including those who were at the
forefront of the revolution, the hope of the election has become tinged with
disappointment and fear, amid a resurgence of regressive Islamist politics that
it is feared will impinge upon women’s rights and a dearth of female candidates
in the running.
“This was meant to be an election representing change and reform. Instead, we
are seeing women being systematically erased and their rights threatened,” said
Sabiha Sharmin, 25, as she took part in the midnight march. “We worry this
election will throw the country back 100 years.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
