courtesy: BBC News
Women elected speaker of Bangladesh’s parliament
Mrs Chowdhury is a member of the governing Awami League party and was formerly the minister for women and children’s affairs.
She was instrumental in writing policy to promote women’s development, which has been denounced by Islamist groups.
Her appointment means that Muslim-majority Bangladesh has women in three of its four top political posts.
Women currently occupy the position of prime minister and leader of the opposition.
BBC Bengali Editor Sabir Mustafa says that Mrs Chowdhury’s election has raised some eyebrows.
While some see it as as a bold and imaginative move by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, it risks the displeasure of senior leaders in the Awami League who see her as a political novice, he adds.
Categories: Bangladesh, Islamic Institutions, Islamic Society, Women, Women In islam, Women Rights, Women's right