The University Grants Commission (UGC) is taking active steps to create a sexual harassment-free environment across universities in Bangladesh.
UGC member Mashuma Habib called on universities to prioritise women’s participation when forming committees to prevent sexual harassment. “UGC is taking necessary initiatives to bring sexual harassment and gender-based violence in higher education institutions down to zero,” she said.
Mashuma Habib made the remarks on Thursday at a workshop titled “Challenges and solutions to ending sexual harassment and gender-based violence on campus”, held at a hotel in Dhaka. The event was jointly organised by the UGC and UN Women.
UN Women programme coordinator Shrabana Datta and programme analyst Tosiba Kashem led a session on the “Whole-of-school approach” during the workshop.
The event was presided over by Jesmin Parvin, director (acting) of UGC’s International Cooperation Division, and featured a special address by UGC member Mohammad Ayub Islam.
He emphasised the importance of institutional policies and behavioral change, saying, “UGC is working to strengthen the capacity of universities to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.”
A three-year project, funded by the European Union and supported technically by UN Women, is currently being implemented to prevent sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the country’s higher education institutions.
The workshop was attended by heads of sexual harassment prevention committees from 14 universities, representatives of the Legal Aid and Services Centre, and students.
