Bangladesh poll: UN notes women’s groups’ ‘concerns’

Dhaka: As Bangladesh goes to the polls on Thursday, the United Nations said it noted “concerns” raised by women’s groups and civil society organizations about violence and harassment of female candidates and voters, including digital violence, and called for women’s “safe, inclusive and meaningful participation” in the election.In a statement, the United Nations called on all stakeholders, including political leaders and their parties and supporters, to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to intimidation, harassment or any other form of violence against women during electoral processes. The United Nations says the same applies to female candidates and voters, whose participation and security are crucial to democracy. It emphasizes that safe and meaningful participation in public life is a fundamental right.