"Direct election to the reserved women's constituencies is the right of women as there is no logical argument against the direct voting," Dr Kamal said while giving poet Sufia Kamal Memorial Lecture at Sufia Kamal Auditorium in the National Museum, marking the poet's 93rd birth anniversary.

The Memorial Lecture was organised by Sanjher Maya Trust. 'Sanjher Maya' is a book of poems written by the acclaimed poet.

The Gono Forum president recalled the contribution of poet Sufia Kamal in ensuring women's representation in every sphere of life and said she stood against communalism and all sorts of evil throughout her life and was never afraid of speaking the truth.

The Gono Forum president said it appears that the major political parties do not want true representation of women in parliament.

"Although democratic process started in the country with the fall of autocratic government in 1990, true democracy is yet to be established."

He criticised the country's current electoral process where money and muscle power rule absolute.

"How can people expect pro-poor policy from those who win electoral race through spending crores of taka?" Dr Kamal questioned.

Major political parties pledged to give direct election to the women constituencies before the general election but they have breached the commitment, said Dr Kamal, observing that true representation of women in the legislative assembly can help improve socio-economic conditions of the country.

Dr Kamal urged all progressive parties and civil society members to stand united in establishing true people's representation in the House.

Presided over by Nurjahan Begum, editor of the 'Begum' magazine, it was also attended by Sultana Kamal, women activist Farida Akhter and Chairperson of Sanjher Maya Trust Dr Sultana Sarwat Ara Zaman.