Bangladesh Mahila Parishad

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, also known as the Women's Council of Bangladesh and commonly abbreviated as BMP, is a Bangladeshi women's human rights organization. It was founded on 4 April 1970 as the East Pakistan Mahila Parishad during the period of political mobilization that preceded Bangladesh's independence. Poet and social activist Sufia Kamal was the organization's founding president, while Maleka Begum served as its first general secretary. The organization brought together women activists concerned with political participation, discrimination, violence against women, and the unequal legal and social position of women in what was then East Pakistan. The organization supported the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Following independence, it adopted the name Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and continued its advocacy in the new state. In 1972, it called for reform of inheritance law, expanded representation for women, and direct election to seats reserved for women. These demands reflected its broader approach: combining changes to legislation and political institutions with grassroots organizing and public campaigns. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad obtained formal registration under Bangladesh's society legislation in 1976. From 1976 to 1977, it organized a signature campaign opposing dowry, an entrenched practice that it associated with discrimination and violence against women. Over time, the organization expanded its work beyond advocacy to include support services, research, education, and cooperation with national and international institutions. In 1985, it established Rokeya Sadan, a shelter for women. It also created Sristi, an initiative associated with residents of the shelter, indicating an effort to link protection and rehabilitation with practical livelihood or creative activities. BMP campaigned around major legal measures affecting women and children, including the Family Courts Ordinance of 1985 and the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act of 2000. Its work has also involved engagement with the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and participation in the wider international human-rights framework. The organization is described as a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and has worked toward goals associated with the Cairo Declaration. It has received support from Norway. The organization operates through a membership and activist network rather than a commercial product portfolio. Reference material describes it as having approximately 134,000 registered members, although the applicable date and current membership figure are not specified. Its activities include policy advocacy, campaigns against discriminatory practices, legal and social reform efforts, shelter-related support, and public engagement on women's rights. After the death of longtime president Ayesha Khanam in January 2021, Dr. Fauzia Moslem was elected president in February 2021, with Maleka Banu serving as general secretary. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad remains an active civil-society organization focused on women's equality and human rights in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad was founded on 4 April 1970 as the East Pakistan Mahila Parishad. Its creation took place amid the mass political movement of 1969 and the growing demand for political and social rights in East Pakistan. Sufia Kamal became its founding and first president, and Maleka Begum became its first general secretary. The organization was established to organize women around equality, participation in public life, and opposition to discriminatory social and legal structures. The founders and members supported the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. After independence, the organization was renamed Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and continued its activities within the new country. Its early post-independence advocacy focused on the constitutional and legal position of women. In 1972, it demanded changes to inheritance law, an increase in reserved representation for women, and direct elections for reserved women's seats. These demands connected women's rights with democratic representation and access to decision-making. Formal registration under the society legislation of Bangladesh was completed in 1976. During 1976 and 1977, the organization led a signature-collection campaign against dowry. The campaign addressed a practice that could impose financial burdens on women's families and contribute to coercion, abuse, and unequal treatment. The episode illustrates BMP's use of public mobilization alongside institutional advocacy. In 1985, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad established Rokeya Sadan as a women's shelter. It subsequently established Sristi, an initiative made by residents of Rokeya Sadan. These activities broadened the organization's role from campaigning and policy work to direct support for women requiring protection and assistance. The organization also campaigned for the Family Courts Ordinance of 1985 and the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act of 2000, placing family disputes, violence, and protection of women and children among its principal legal concerns. BMP has maintained links with international human-rights and gender-equality institutions. It is described as a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and has worked with the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It has also stated a commitment to advancing the goals of the Cairo Declaration. Norway has supported the organization. Reference material reports approximately 134,000 registered members, although it does not specify the date of that figure or whether it remains current. Leadership has included several prominent women's-rights activists. Sufia Kamal was the founding president, and Ayesha Khanam later served as president until her death in January 2021. Dr. Fauzia Moslem was elected president in February 2021, while Maleka Banu was identified as general secretary. The organization therefore combines a long historical role in Bangladesh's women's movement with continuing advocacy, membership mobilization, legal-reform work, and support services. Detailed current information about its internal structure, regional offices, funding, and present programs is not established by the supplied reference material.

• 2021

  Change in presidency

  [1]Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org

  Following Ayesha Khanam's death, Dr. Fauzia Moslem was elected president in February.

• 2000

  Advocacy around protection legislation

  [1]Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org

  The organization campaigned for the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act.

• 1985

  Rokeya Sadan founded

  [1]Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org

  BMP established Rokeya Sadan as a shelter for women and later created Sristi in association with shelter residents.

• 1976

  Registration under Bangladesh society law

  [1]Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org

  The organization received formal registration under the society legislation of Bangladesh.

• 1972

  Early legal and political-representation demands

  [1]Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org

  BMP called for inheritance-law reform, more reserved seats for women, and direct elections to reserved women's seats.

• 1971

  Support for the Bangladesh Liberation War

  [1]Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org

  The organization and its founders supported the liberation movement and subsequently continued under the name Bangladesh Mahila Parishad.

• 1970

  Founding as East Pakistan Mahila Parishad

  [1]Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org

  Sufia Kamal established the organization on 4 April 1970, with Maleka Begum as its first general secretary.

A national women's rights and human-rights organization combining grassroots membership, public campaigns, legal advocacy, shelter support, and engagement with international gender-equality institutions.

• 2000Women and children protection-law advocacy

  Bangladesh

  The organization campaigned for the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, focusing on legal protection against violence and abuse.

  Outcome. BMP's advocacy was associated with the legislative debate around the act, but the supplied source gives no detailed assessment of its direct impact.

  Source
• 1985Family-law reform advocacy

  Bangladesh

  BMP campaigned for the Family Courts Ordinance of 1985, supporting stronger institutional mechanisms for resolving family-related disputes.

  Outcome. The organization is identified as a campaigner for the ordinance; the supplied material does not specify the precise result of its advocacy.

  Source
• 1976Anti-dowry signature campaign

  Bangladesh

  From 1976 to 1977, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad collected signatures opposing dowry and used public mobilization to challenge a discriminatory social practice.

  Outcome. The campaign made opposition to dowry a visible part of the organization's post-independence women's-rights agenda; a more specific policy outcome is not provided.

  Source

• 1985

  Expansion into shelter and direct supportStrategy

  Background

  Advocacy work was complemented by a need for practical assistance for women facing insecurity or abuse.

  Action taken

  BMP founded Rokeya Sadan and later established Sristi in association with its residents.

  Aftermath

  The organization broadened its role from public advocacy to include shelter-related support and rehabilitation-oriented activity.

  Source

• 1971

  Continuation as Bangladesh Mahila Parishad after independenceStrategy

  Background

  The organization had been founded as the East Pakistan Mahila Parishad and supported the liberation struggle.

  Action taken

  After Bangladesh became independent, it adopted the country's name and continued its women's-rights activities.

  Aftermath

  The renamed organization became part of Bangladesh's post-independence women's movement and later obtained formal registration.

  Source

1. 1Bangladesh Mahila Parishaden.wikipedia.org
2. 2Bangladesh Mahila Parishad official websitemahilaparishad.org