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Published : 16 Sep 2025, 01:57 AM
As Rajshahi University prepares for its first student union elections in over 35 years, the low number of female candidates has sparked concern among faculty, students, and rights activists.
The elections, which will take place on Sept 15, are marked by a disheartening underrepresentation of women, particularly in prominent positions.
The disparity in female participation has been attributed to a rise in cyberbullying, tagging, and slut-shaming on social media, as well as a lack of personal security.
Of the total 248 candidates for the Rajshahi University Central Students Union (RUCSU) elections, only 25 are women -- making up just 10 percent of the total candidates.
If reserved seats, however, are excluded, the number drops to a mere 4.45 percent. The 25 female candidates include 14 for reserved seats, which constitute nearly 56 percent of female representation.
Only one woman is contesting for vice-president (VP), four for general secretary (GS), and two for assistant general secretary (AGS) positions. Among the five Senate student representative posts, only eight women are competing.
Despite the university administration's formation of a cyber cell to tackle online harassment, students argue that little progress has been made in its effectiveness.
Prof Farid Uddin Khan, pro-vice chancellor of Rajshahi University, acknowledged the alarming issue of cyberbullying, stressing that students must boycott harassers and report them for punishment.
Despite these efforts, the overall environment has failed to encourage greater female participation in campus politics.
RELUCTANT, UNOPPOSED
On Sunday, the final list of candidates for both the central council and 17 hall councils was released.
Out of 255 total seats, 38 have been won unopposed, with 35 of those in women's halls and three in men's halls. While all the seats in men's halls are filled, four executive member positions in women's halls remain vacant due to a lack of candidates.
The reluctance of women to participate in the elections is evident, as many are opting not to run due to the hostile online environment.
Renessa Ratri, a candidate for the Senate student representative post, shared that she was subjected to cyberbullying instead of constructive criticism, and believes choosing not to run was the correct decision.
Asiya Khatun, a GS candidate and a student of Rokeya Hall, expressed disappointment over the low female participation, calling it a reflection of societal attitudes and a lack of security.
She said, as a female student, she faced significant hesitations before deciding to run, with barriers such as security concerns and social discouragement being prominent factors.
CYBER CELL UNDER SCRUTINY
In response to the growing concerns, a five-member cyber cell was established on Aug 30, led by Prof Md Ekramul Hamid of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
Students, however, have complained that the cell's activities have been limited, with no visible actions to address cyberbullying.
On Sept 4, a controversy erupted when 91 female students were summoned by the provost of July-36 Hall for entering the dormitories after the designated time.
The notice sparked backlash on social media, leading to its withdrawal by the administration. The incident highlighted the ongoing tensions over female students' treatment on campus.
Subsequently, on Sept 13, 11 female candidates proposed a seven-point cyber protection policy, but progress on its implementation has been slow.
The low turnout of female candidates has been compounded by the lack of proactive measures by the Election Commission.
Kaiser Ahmed, the treasurer of the student union and a GS candidate, emphasised that cyberbullying and the media trial surrounding female candidates have significantly contributed to their reluctance to participate.
He also pointed out that the Election Commission had failed to launch any awareness campaigns to encourage female involvement.
Nadia Haque Mithi, a candidate for assistant women’s secretary, echoed these concerns, citing the fears of cyberbullying, media trials, and the overall political climate as major deterrents for women on campus. She believes that, despite their qualifications, many female students have opted out due to concerns for their safety and the hostile environment.
Professor Ekramul did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Prof F Nazrul Islam, the chief election commissioner, acknowledged the low percentage of female candidates but refrained from offering any concrete solutions.
He said while the commission has encouraged women to participate, there is little they can do if women are unwilling to run. He added that compared with previous RUCSU elections, the number of female candidates this year was not as disappointing as it might seem.
BULLYING PATTERNS
Jannatun Naeem Tuhina, a prominent figure in the Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and a VP candidate at her hall, voiced her dismay at the rising trend of bullying on campus.
She said, while women involved in politics face more severe harassment, even non-political female students are not immune to being silenced through derogatory comments and cyberbullying.
“In many cases, women who aren’t well-known or don’t have significant social capital are told things like, ‘Who will vote for them?’-- effectively discouraging them from speaking up or standing for elections,” Tuhina said.
Highlighting the nature of online bullying, she pointed out that female students are often subjected to character assassination and body shaming on social media.
Words like “sex worker”, “night queen”, and “leader’s fairy” have become part of the vocabulary used to bully women, contributing to a toxic environment that dissuades them from participating in elections, even at RUCSU.
Anthropology student and GS candidate from July-36 Hall, Tabassum Supti, echoed similar concerns, saying instead of fostering a supportive and intellectual environment, the campus has seen an increase in cyberbullying and slut-shaming.
“Political women are frequently the target of such harassment, making it harder for them to step forward,” she said.
Supti also noted that of the approximately 14,000 female students at the university, only 50 women are contesting for the central council, a stark contrast to their male counterparts.
This, she said, is a direct result of the cyberbullying and harassment that many female students face.
Prof Mahbubur Rahman, a member of the university's cyber cell, acknowledged that cyberbullying plays a significant role in the low participation of women in the elections.
“In the past, we expelled a Chhatra Dal leader for making objectionable comments about female students,” Mahbubur said, confirming that the issue is being taken seriously by the administration.
WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS?
The reluctance of women to come forward due to cyberbullying is not only disappointing but also a loss for the university, according to Prof Susmita Chakraborty of the Department of Folklore.
“Women should take the initiative to confront such harassment head-on. There are many other underlying issues at play, which need to be identified and addressed through proper seminars and discussions,” she said.
Prof Susmita suggested that the administration, along with faculty and students, needs to actively participate in solving these issues through a concerted effort. This includes understanding the cultural barriers, societal pressures, and political aversion that contribute to the underrepresentation of women in the elections.
Professor Soma Deb, a faculty member in the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, added that family pressure and a general lack of interest in politics are key reasons behind the low female participation in elections.
“Body shaming and cyberbullying cannot be solved overnight,” Deb said. “However, it is crucial to address these issues at the family level, and if faculty members encourage female students to participate, we may see an improvement in the future.”
Prof Ataur Rahman from the Department of Theatre Arts pointed out that while many factors contribute to the low female participation, the most pressing issue remains the lack of political awareness and engagement among women compared with their male counterparts.
He believes that bullying, harassment, and taunting have been persistent issues, but now, they have become ingrained in the culture of campus politics.
“This is not just an individual problem faced by any woman or female student. It’s a problem caused by a group of uncivilised people who perpetuate these harmful practices,” Ataur remarked.
“If women let fear dictate their decisions, they will always remain behind. They need to face these challenges head-on.”
Dil Setara Chinu, director (Legal) of the National Women Lawyers Association in Rajshahi, emphasised the importance of creating a safe and secure environment for women to participate in all activities, including elections.
“Bullying and tagging are harmful in any context, but the university should serve as a beacon of hope, where women are empowered to lead,” Chinu said.
She further stressed the need for the university’s administration to activate the Women’s Abuse Prevention Cell and the Cyber Cell to provide women with the protection they need.
“By ensuring that the environment is safe for women both socially and physically, we can increase their participation in elections. The university also needs to hold regular elections to keep encouraging their involvement,” Chinu added.
STATE OF FEMALE PARTICIPATION
In the women's halls, a total of 139 candidates have filed nominations for 90 positions. Among these, 27 positions in the secretarial category, out of 66, have no competition, ensuring these candidates’ victory. Also, there is no candidate for one of the secretarial positions.
Mannujan Hall
In this hall, one candidate has filed for the assistant cultural secretary position, while five candidates have filed nominations for four executive member positions.
July-36 Hall
Here, one candidate each has filed nominations for the positions of assistant debate and literature secretary, assistant sports secretary, assistant cultural secretary, and assistant common room secretary. For the four executive member positions, only three candidates have come forward.
Rokeya Hall
Here, one candidate each has filed for the positions of assistant debate and literature secretary, common room secretary, assistant common room secretary, sports secretary, assistant sports secretary, and assistant cultural secretary. For the four executive member positions, three candidates have filed nominations.
Rahamatunnesa Hall
At Rahamatunnesa Hall, one candidate each has filed for the positions of debate and literature secretary, assistant debate and literature secretary, common room secretary, assistant common room secretary, sports secretary, and assistant sports secretary. For the four executive member positions, three candidates have come forward.
Tapashi Rabeya Hall
In this hall, one candidate each has filed for the assistant common room secretary, cultural secretary, and assistant cultural secretary positions, while five candidates are contesting for the four executive member positions.
Khaleda Zia Hall
Here, one candidate each has filed for the positions of debate and literature secretary, assistant common room secretary, sports secretary, assistant sports secretary, cultural secretary, and assistant cultural secretary. Four candidates are competing for the four executive member positions. However, there is no candidate for the assistant debate and literature secretary position.
[Writing in English by Syed Mahmud Onindo]
