Only three women in Tarique's cabinet, all first-time MPs

Eight women served in the cabinet during the 12th parliament

Three women have been sworn in as ministers and state ministers in the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, with all of them entering parliament for the first time.

Each is also the daughter of a former cabinet member.

Afroza Khanam Rita, MP for Manikganj-3 (Sadar and Saturia), has been appointed minister for civil aviation and tourism. Her father, the late industrialist Harunur Rashid Khan Monno, was elected four times from Manikganj-2 and Manikganj-3 and served as a minister.

Shama Obaed, MP for Faridpur-2, has been made state minister for foreign affairs. She is the daughter of the late KM Obaidur Rahman, a former BNP secretary general and Liberation War organiser, who was elected multiple times from the same constituency and also served as a minister.

Farzana Sharmin Putul, MP for Natore-1 (Lalpur–Bagatipara), has been appointed state minister for women and children affairs and social welfare. She is the daughter of the late Fazlur Rahman Potol, a former state minister.

In the previous 12th parliament, eight women served in the cabinet -- the highest number in the country’s history.

President Md Shahabuddin administered the oath to members of the new cabinet on Tuesday afternoon at the South Plaza of the parliament complex.

After winning the Feb 12 general election, BNP chief Tarique formed a 50-member government comprising 25 ministers and 24 state ministers.

One of the biggest surprises in the lineup came in the foreign affairs ministry. Khalilur Rahman, who had been serving as national security advisor to the chief advisor of the interim government until Tuesday afternoon, was appointed foreign minister despite not being an MP or a member of the BNP.