76pc female students face sexual harassment: Study

Around 76 percent of female students of higher education institutions face sexual harassment within or outside campus by campus-related people, a study has revealed.
The tendency is highest in public universities followed by university colleges, private universities, and medical colleges, said a University Grants Commission (UGC) release.
Findings of the study, "Situational Analysis of Sexual Harassment at Tertiary Level Education Institutes in and around Dhaka", were revealed at Brac Centre in the capital yesterday.
Experts addressing the programme suggested that the issue of sexual harassment should get more attention than now for empowerment of women.
UGC Chairman Prof Dr AK Azad Chowdhury said sexual harassment at educational institutions was a concern. Instead of looking into the incidents of violence against women separately, it should be treated with priority to ensure women's empowerment in society at every level, he said.
On behalf of UGC, he said, "We can request and facilitate the universities to ensure women-friendly educational atmosphere and also to broaden the counselling services for female students and form complaints committees in every university against sexual and other forms of harassment of female students."
The study was conducted by Human Development Research Centre (HDRC) under MDG Achievement Fund with Support from UN Women. Dr Abul Barkat, study team leader and chief adviser of HDRC, disclosed the findings.