Bangladesh Mahila Parishad

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP, Women's Council of Bangladesh) is a women's human rights organization. It was established on 4 April 1970. After the liberation war, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad was registered under the society act in 1976, in the free Bangladesh. It is supported by Norway.

History
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad was established on 4 April 1970 as the East Pakistan Mahila Parishad by Sufia Kamal. The first president of Mahila Parishad was Sufia Kamal and the first general secretary was Maleka Begum. The organization was created during the 1969 East Pakistan mass uprising which led to the resignation of President of Pakistan Ayub Khan and its founders supported the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. After the Independence of Bangladesh, the organization was renamed to Bangladesh Mahila parishad.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad in 1972 demanded government of Bangladesh to change the inheritance laws and increase the number reserved seats for women. It also asked the government for direct election to reserved women's seat. It received official registration in 1976 and is member of the Economic and Social Council of United Nations. From 1976 to 1977, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad carried out a signature collection campaign against the practice of dowery in Bangladesh.

In 1985, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad founded a women's shelter called Rokeya Sadan. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad established Sristi made by residents Rokeya Sadan. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad campaigned for the Family Courts Ordinance, 1985 and the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000. Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has 134 thousand registered members. It has worked with Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. It has pledged to working to accomplish the goals of the Cairo Declaration.

The president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Ayesha Khanam, died in January 2021. In February 2021, Dr Fauzia Moslem was elected president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad while Maleka Banu was general secretary.