Islamist party promises women’s cabinet representation, economic overhaul
February 6, 2026: Bangladesh’s main Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami on Wednesday released a 41-point manifesto ahead of the February 12 elections, pledging major reforms in governance, justice and the economy, along with increased representation for women. Party chief Shafiqur Rahman said a “significant number of women” would be included in the cabinet if Jamaat comes to power, even though the party has not fielded any female candidates in the polls. The manifesto also promised representation for religious and ethnic minorities and other under-represented communities.
On women’s rights, Jamaat pledged to ensure a safe working environment while “upholding dignity,” and proposed reducing maternity working hours to five per day with the mother’s consent. The announcement comes days after the party denied responsibility for a controversial social media post on women that briefly appeared on Rahman’s verified X account, claiming the account had been hacked before the post was deleted.
Economically, Jamaat set ambitious targets, promising to transform Bangladesh into a USD 2 trillion economy by 2040 and raise per capita income to USD 10,000. Currently, Bangladesh’s economy stands at around USD 475 billion in nominal terms, with per capita income estimated at USD 2,820. The manifesto comes amid a reshaped political landscape, with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) emerging as the frontrunner after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League, while Jamaat positions itself as BNP’s main rival ahead of elections expected to end the interim government’s tenure.