New Delhi, Feb 8 (NationPress) Bangladesh, despite facing challenges in various sectors, has long been characterized by a unique aspect — the political scene was largely shaped by two prominent female leaders.

As the nation approaches its elections, the first since the violent upheaval of 2024, an unexpected void has emerged in its political landscape, with both iconic women leaders absent — Khaleda Zia has passed away, and Sheikh Hasina is currently in exile.

Once celebrated as a pioneer of women's empowerment in South Asia, the country is now grappling with a rise in extremism and radical ideologies.

Today, the political environment is almost entirely devoid of female candidates, largely due to intimidation and threats from radical groups.

Reports indicate that women comprise less than four percent of the candidates — of the 1,981 individuals contesting for 300 parliamentary seats, merely 76 are women.

Observers express concern regarding the diminishing role of women in politics, which is crucial for maintaining the liberal essence of the nation, especially as new reports suggest fundamentalists are gaining an upper hand under the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

The participation of women has drastically decreased, as most political parties now favor male candidates for their nominations.

While women's representation in Bangladeshi politics remains limited, the years from 1991 to 2024 were marked by the leadership of two formidable women — Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia.

Zia passed away in December 2025 after leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for forty years and serving as prime minister three times, while Sheikh Hasina was ousted following the July 2024 uprising after having served five terms.

Many political analysts claim that women are being silenced and marginalized, as the influence of Islamist factions has grown in the post-Hasina political environment.

Jamaat-e-Islami, the most significant Islamist party, is seen as a primary contributor to this oppressive trend, having not nominated a single woman.

For over three decades, Bangladesh was among the few nations globally to be led by women; however, the upcoming elections on February 12 will reflect an almost entirely male-dominated governance.

“I once took pride in having two prominent women leaders, but now it feels like they have been pushed aside. Women leaders are being marginalized,” stated a first-time voter in Bangladesh.

Notably, the South Asian country with a population of approximately 170 million elects 300 lawmakers to its Parliament, with an additional 50 seats reportedly reserved for women and other categories.