The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.
Related Articles
Democracy Updates
In Bangladesh, traditional gender roles keep most women from gaining political power. A recent forum, "Celebrating Women's Leadership in Bangladesh," brought together female MPs and other Bangladeshi women with political aspirations to inspire and encourage them to run for office and to work together across party lines to increase women's political participation in the country.
The Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership (BDAWL), an organization of prominent women leaders, hosted the November meeting, which was prompted by a visit to Bangladesh from Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues. Forty-five women MPs, civil society leaders, media representatives, and officials from the U.S. embassy, NDI and BDAWL attended the forum.
In-Country Perspectives
In an op-ed for the Melbourne Age newspaper, Bob McMullan, the Australian Secretary for International Development Assistance, details his observation of the Dec. 29 parliamentary elections in Bangladesh as a member of NDI’s international observation delegation.
Bangladesh
Over the past ten years, the National Democratic Institute has conducted a series of parliamentary, civil society and political party programs in Bangladesh, and has been active in providing technical support and monitoring for the country’s elections. Since October 2003, the Institute has worked to expand democratic processes within the four major political parties by encouraging multi-party dialogue, strengthening the role of parliament, increasing constituency outreach, and enhancing the legitimacy of the electoral process. In addition, NDI works closely with Bangladeshi nongovernmental organizations on strategic planning and program development, and has provided technical assistance in promoting citizen participation in the democratic process.
Bangladesh’s transition from emergency military rule to civilian government was realized with national elections on Dec. 29, 2008, along with local elections on Aug. 4, 2008, and Jan. 22, 2009.
Political Situation
International Election Monitoring
Parliarmentary Support
Political Party Strengthening
Funding
Contact Information
Pictured above: Banners for candidates in the Dec. 29, 2009 parliamentary election hang above a street in Dhaka. Photo courtesy of Flickr user stoneßµ∂∂hå.
National Democratic Institute | 2030 M Street, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington, DC 20036-3306 | tel: 202.728.5500 | fax: 202.728.5520