Forty-five women were sworn in as lawmakers in Bangladesh's 'Jatiya Sangsad' (Parliament) on Sunday, officials said. The women were earlier this month elected unopposed to seats reserved for women. They were expected to join Sunday's session, which follows after a nine-day recess. Thirty-six of the new lawmakers belong to ruling Awami League (AL), four to Jatiya Party, a coalition partner of the AL, and the rest belong to the mainstream opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, according to a report of DPA. The 45 were elected unopposed on March 19, as their parties nominated them on party strength in the 300-strong House, bringing the total number of lawmakers to 345. Bangladesh, which returned to democratic system through late last year's general elections ending nearly two years rule of a military-backed government, has a constitutional provision to reserve 45 seats for women. Women are also free to contest parliament elections directly. Presently, women hold the posts of head of the government, leader and deputy leader of parliament, leader of the opposition and home and foreign ministers in Bangladesh.
