They also called on all to take the responsibility of previous failures and come forward with constructive approach and the vision for the well-being of the nation, they said.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) organised the two-day workshop on 'Women's political empowerment and their involvement in electoral process' at Biam auditorium in the city. Some 300 representatives of the Parishad from across the country are taking part in the workshop.

Speaking as a special guest, Dr Shahdeen Malik said criminalisation of politics is the main obstacle to women's political empowerment.

He also hoped that the on-going process of political reforms would bring an end to political criminalisation.

Although about one crore women have been involved in economic activities in the last ten years, they are lagging behind largely because of restrictions imposed by fundamentalists, Dr Shahdeen said.

Welcoming the Election Commission's decision to introduce a provision requiring the political parties to induct 33 percent women members into their decision-making committees, General Secretary of the Parishad Ayesha Khanam said women leaders have long been struggling for such rights.

Presenting a written statement, Secretary of the central committee of the Parishad Rekha Chowdhury called on all not to vote for anti-liberation forces, those using religion in politics, loan defaulters, black money holders, criminals, those creating obstacles to the development of women in the name of religion and those supporting violence against women.

Parishad Vice-President Bela Nabi presided over the session.

Later, Prof Sonia Nishat Amin and Ayesha Banu conducted sessions on women's empowerment and women's political empowerment as resource persons.