Ahead of the upcoming national election, BNP has taken up special programmes targeting female voters as part of its campaign strategy, in response to Jamaat-e-Islami’s move to mobilise women voters.

Party sources said BNP will carry out the programmes not directly, but through its associate body, Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum.

Formed in August 2019, the forum is led by BNP Standing Committee Member Selima Rahman as Convener, with Dhaka District BNP General Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury serving as Member Secretary.

Leaders of the forum said the programmes will mainly be held in the form of small-scale meetings. Union, municipal and upazila-level former and current BNP-backed representatives will be brought together to receive election-related directives.

Discussions will focus on BNP’s future vision, women’s rights and empowerment, and raising awareness among female voters.

The campaign will kick off in Khulna Division on October 14. On the opening day, exchange of views will be held with BNP-backed representatives from Khulna district and city, Bagerhat and Satkhira.

On October 15, similar programmes will be held in Jashore, Magura, Jhenaidah and Narail. The campaign will then move to Kushtia, Meherpur and Chuadanga on October 16. District BNP presidents, general secretaries and other local leaders will join the programmes.

Our main goal is to convey BNP’s vision to female voters. We are working on their rights, security and awareness. Women’s role in elections is extremely important, said Forum Convener Selima Rahman.

We want female voters to understand the kind of Bangladesh BNP wants to build. Our campaign will deliver that message, added Member Secretary Nipun Roy Chowdhury.

Several senior BNP leaders said reports from grassroots indicate that Jamaat has already activated its female activists, creating some concern within BNP. Against this backdrop, BNP has tasked its associate bodies—Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal and Nari O Shishu Odhikar Forum—to mobilise female voters.