Bangladesh polls: UN notes ‘concerns’ of women’s groups

Dhaka: As Bangladesh goes to polls on Thursday, United Nations has said it has noted ‘concerns’ raised by women’s groups and civil society organisations over violence and harassment of women candidates and voters, including digital violence, and called for “safe, inclusive and meaningful participation” of women in elections.

The UN, in a statement, called on all stakeholders, including political leaders and their parties and supporters, to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to intimidation, harassment, or any other form of violence against women during the electoral process. This applies equally to women candidates and voters, whose participation and safety are essential to democracy , said UN. It stressed that safe and meaningful participation in public life is a fundamental right.