If women are suppressed without due respect, the state will lag behind, said National Consensus Commission Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz on Monday.

He made the remarks while presiding over the 13th day discussion of the second-round reform dialogue with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital.

Recalling the role of women in the July 2024 uprising, Ali Riaz said the way the movement gained momentum due to the glorious participation of women can be institutionalised in the context of restructuring the state.

Under the leadership of the anti-discrimination student movement, a mass movement against fascism began in July 2024 and July 14 marked a major turning point, he added.

"In response to disparaging remarks against protesters, female students from Dhaka University and other universities took to the streets overnight. Their protest, their powerful voices, their resistance gave a new strength to the anti-fascist movement and pushed it toward change (in power)."