Direct election to JS reserved seats not practicable

"We need a change in social mindset first and then can go for direct election," she added.

The minister said women can take part in the direct election individually but at the party level it is not practically viable.

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Khurshid Jahan was addressing the press conference prior to her attending the 31st session of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) scheduled to be held in New York on July 9.

The 5th periodic report on `the CEDAW will be reviewed at the UN Committee session.

As to the full ratification of the CEDAW Convention, the minister said articles 2 and 16.1 (C), to which Bangladesh has so far shown reservation, are under the process of cabinet decision.

"We have the reservation for those two particular articles considering people's sentiment, " she added.

Khurshid Jahan also mentioned various empowerment measures that the government has undertaken for women in keeping with the CEDAW convention.

These include increase of reserved seats for women in parliament from 30 to 45, participation of women at policy level under the President's quota, and reservation of 10 percent quota for women in the civil service, she added.