|
|
 |
 |
 |
| Tuesday, 18 May 2004 |
 |
|
 |
World | |
| News Business Features Editorial Security Politics World Letters Sports Obituaries
|
Bangladesh creates reserved seats for women DHAKA, Monday (Reuters) Bangladesh approved a new law on Sunday creating 45 new parliamentary seats reserved for women, raising the number of legislators to 345. The law provides for the new seats to be allocated to parties in parliament in proportion to their number of elected representatives. It is in keeping with Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's promises gradually to increase women's representation in the legislative assembly. The main opposition Awami League, led by Sheikh Hasina, boycotted the parliamentary vote, but the law was passed by 226 votes in favour to one against, officials said. Both the prime minister and the opposition leader are women, but there are only five other female lawmakers at present. Parliament starts a new session in June and the law providing for the new seats will be valid for 10 years. Bangladesh had 30 nominated women legislators until the law governing their appointment expired just before the last election in October 2001. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security
Produced by Lake House |
