Zero tolerance for sexual harassment

BANGLADESH National Woman Lawyers' Association (BNWLA) in association with the USAID and Plan Bangladesh organised an advocacy meeting with the civil society members titled as “Prevention of Sexual Harassment; Experience, Challenge and Way Forward” on 8 September, 2014.

Advocate Salma Ali, Executive Director of BNWLA, focused on the severity of sexual harassment as it constitutes a serious human rights violation, while addressing the session. In the wake of increasing incidents of sexual harassment on campus and at workplaces in Bangladesh, BNWLA, invoked the writ jurisdiction under Article 102 of the Constitution for prevention, protection and redress against sexual harassment at educational institutions and workplaces, she referred.

Accordingly the High Court came up with a declaration which calls to formulate complains committees in their respective organisations as per Article 9 of the guideline.  But it is regretful that after five years of this declaration it is found not be implemented properly, she added.

Advocate Rehana Sultana presented the key note paper where she briefly discussed the salient features of the sexual harassment guideline and also the proposed draft law on sexual harassment.

This is very shameful that the proposed law on sexual harassment is yet to be passed, said A.K. Azad Chowdhury, Chairman (State Minister) University Grants Commission of Bangladesh while addressing the meeting as chief guest.

Among others, Ms. Dilara Choudhury, Professor of Political Science at North South University, Dr. Shah Alam, Member, Law Commission of Bangladesh, and Dr. Khurshida Begum from Jahangirnagar University also spoke at the programme.

Distinguished participants came up with concrete recommendations which include zero tolerance for sexual harassment at educational institutions, conducting a survey in primary and secondary schools under few unions to determine the implementation status of the guideline, uniting BNWLA and other NGOs to come together and pressurise the government to pass the proposed Act. They reiterated that without establishing an effective legislative framework- the elimination of sexual harassment will not be practicable.  

The writer is Research Co-ordinator, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association.