The Reform Commission on Women's Affairs on Saturday submitted its final report to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, proposing wide-ranging reforms across 15 thematic areas.
Key recommendations include establishment of a permanent Women's Commission to monitor violations of women's rights and provide necessary protection.
Following the submission, commission members held a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka to elaborate on the proposals.
Among the significant reforms suggested is the introduction of a Uniform Family Code to ensure equal rights for all, regardless of religion, caste, or community. The commission recommended that this code be implemented voluntarily under the current interim government.
The commission also proposed abolishing local elections held under political party banners, suggesting instead, that such polls be conducted prior to national elections and on a non-partisan basis.
A comprehensive review of all existing laws and acts relating to violence against women and children was also urged, with the goal of strengthening legal protections.
A major electoral reform recommendation calls for increasing the number of parliamentary seats to 600, with each constituency having one general seat and one reserved seat for women-both to be filled by direct vote.
In the event that an upper house of parliament is introduced, the commission advised that 50 per cent of its members be nominated by political parties in a proportional manner using the zipper method, whereby an equal number of male and female candidates are alternated on party lists.
The remaining 50 per cent of seats should be filled on a non-partisan basis, ensuring representation from at least five women's movements alongside other groups.
Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser Yunus received the report at the State Guest House Jamuna and immediately instructed all relevant ministries and divisions to act swiftly on the commission's recommendations aimed at ending discrimination against women.
"Let us act without delay to implement the actionable recommendations. The world is watching, and women everywhere will draw inspiration from what we do. Let's set a global example," said Yunus.
He stressed that the report should be treated as a national priority and not left to gather dust. "This is not merely a women's issue-it is a matter of national significance. The report will be printed, widely distributed, and published in book form, like a textbook, to ensure accessibility."
Yunus added that the report would also be shared with political parties via the National Consensus Commission to build broad-based support.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Commission Chair Shireen Parveen Huq said, "We wanted to honour those who lost their lives in July by creating something meaningful that contributes to society and brings about positive change."
She noted that the recommendations are categorised into three sections: those implementable by the current government, those meant for the next elected government, and a third reflecting the broader aspirations of the women's movement.
Formed in November last year, the 10-member commission was headed by Shireen Parveen Huq, a founding member of Nari Paksha. Other members include Maheen Sultan, senior fellow at BRAC Institute of Governance and Development; Sara Hossain, executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST); Fawzia Karim Firoze, president of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association; Kalpona Akter, president of Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers Federation; Dr Halida Hanum Akhter, women's health expert; Sumaiya Islam, executive director of Bangladesh Nari Sramik Kendra; Nirupa Dewan, former member of the National Human Rights Commission; Ferdousi Sultana, former senior social development adviser at the Asian Development Bank; and Nishita Zaman Niha, a student representative.
The commission consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to formulate its final recommendations.
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