Members unaware, untrained

Although many educational institutions have formed a sexual harassment prevention committee after receiving a letter from the education ministry regarding the implementation of the 2009 HC guidelines, in reality, most of the committee members are unaware and untrained in their roles, revealed Amrai Pari Paribarik Nirjaton Protirodh Jot (We Can) yesterday.

Although most of the committee members were supposed to be women, the reality is different. Only a few universities submit an annual report to the government on their performance, it also revealed.

Zinat Ara Haque, chief executive of We Can, shared this information at a roundtable, titled "Policies to Prevent Sexual Harassment in Educational Institution: Implementation and Barriers", organised by We Can, in association with UN Women Bangladesh, with financial support from Global Affairs, Canada at The Daily Star Centre of the capital.

"The monitoring mechanism is very weak at the government and non-government level, especially, the national level monitoring mechanism is very much unclear in the polytechnic institutes," said Zinat.

We Can provided training on sexual harassment and sexual violence to the students, teachers, and staffers, of six educational institutions and formed different groups among the students to raise awareness regarding the issue.

Selina Akhter, assistant professor at Patuakhali Government College, said although a committee has been formed at her institution, students have not been filing complaints to the box.

"I feel the students do not feel secure enough to complain, considering the social stigma and stereotype, which lead to further harassment," she said.

"I think the families must be included in these programmes for female students to get the confidence from their family members," added Selina.

Sujan Kanti Mali, associate professor at Patuakhali Science and Technology University, echoed the same.

"There is also a prevalent culture of moral policing that needs to be taken into account," he said.

Nusrat Armeen, section officer at Cumilla University, informed that due to the extensive awareness campaigns in her institution, the committees have been playing a great role there.

"Each student is now aware of the existence of the committee and its responsibilities. However, more training and awareness campaigns are required to continue this progress," she added.

Papri Basu, freedom fighter, social worker and women's rights activist; activist Prof Mahfza Khanam; Prof Md Shahjahan Ali of Government Azizul Haque College Bogura; Amena Begum, associate professor at Cumilla Victoria College; Prof Jebunnessa, president of the sexual harassment prevention committee at Jahangirnagar University, spoke at the event among others.

Earlier, in another event held at the Parliament members Club, National Girl Child Advocacy Forum and Parliamentary Caucus on Child Rights urged the government to enact the proposed "Sexual Harassment Prevention and Protection Act 2022" immediately.

Lawmaker Shamsul Hoque Tuku said, "While enacting laws does not always solve everything, the law will create fear for criminals and protect the victims."

Lawmaker Basanti Chakma said, "Before finalising the law, further input from various stakeholders should be sought. The views of the indigenous people from the plain and hills need to be incorporated in particular."