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Sexual Harassment

Proper implementation of HC guidelines demanded

25 April 2010, 18:00 PM

METROPOLITAN

Staff Correspondent

Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association (BNWLA) at a press conference yesterday demanded proper implementation of the High Court's (HC) guidelines on sexual harassment. Demanding enactment of a new law based on the guidelines, it also expressed concern over the alarming rise of suicide incidents among young girls inflicted by stalking. The organisation stressed the need for increasing the punishment under the current laws and formation of a special taskforce to tackle the issue. Salma Ali, executive director of the organisation, said: “Though one year has passed since the HC issued the guidelines on sexual harassment, we've noticed with concern that it has not been implemented in any organisation yet.” According to University Grants Commission, seven public universities and 12 private universities have so far constituted committees. However, schools are still lagging behind in this regard although school-going girls are the most vulnerable group, she added. There are also some other laws that address the issue of stalking, including section 509 of Penal Code and Metropolitan Police Ordinance. However, there are very little examples of using these laws to punish offenders. Under the Penal Code 509, a stalker can be punished with one-year jail term or can be fined, Salma added. “The biggest challenge, however, is in the process of legal tangles. Women who lodge complaints become victimised for the second time. So, they refrain from complaining. Providing witness is also another major challenge.” The HC in May 2009 defined sexual harassment and laid down some guidelines. Under section 111 of the constitution, this guideline can be used as a law as long as a new law is not enacted, she pointed out. The guidelines define that sexually evocative remarks directly or over phone, indecent emails, giving indecent looks or making indecent gestures in office space, educational institutions and public place can be regarded as sexual harassment. BNWLA members called on the women to raise their voice against stalking and other forms of sexual harassment instead of victimising themselves and choosing self-destructive paths. They called on parents to take the matters seriously and sensitise their children to this issue. Lack of recreational facilities for young boys, open discussions about sexuality, absence of counselling for boys and girls are contributing to the incidents, they pointed out. Law enforcers also need sensitisation, the BNWLA members noted. Kohinoor Begum, director, Advocacy, and Chanchal Mukharjee, assistant programme manager, Legal Cell, BNWLA, also spoke.