Female students of the University of Dhaka have submitted a memorandum to Vice Chancellor with 12 demands including reconstituting and launch the Anti-Sexual Harassment cell.
On behalf of women, students of Dhaka University, Nuzia Hasin (Linguistics), Ania Fahmin (Anthropology), Israt Jahan Emu (Management and Information Systems), Maliha Tabassum (Finance), Rahnuma Ahmed Niret (Physics) presented this memorandum to VC around 2pm on Monday.
Their placed demands are:
- The Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell should be reconstituted and launched.
- Establishment of Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell in each department, student representative in the cell and ensuring that the cell handles all complaints in coordination with the Central Anti-Harassment Cell.
- Complaints should be resolved within 15 working days of filing the complaint.
- Any accused teacher will not be able to participate in academic activities while the incident is being investigated.
- Allegations of past sexual harassment must be reinvestigated and accused must be relieved of all academic and administrative duties during the investigation.
- A 'special force' of proctorial teams should be formed to respond immediately to incidents of sexual harassment. However, it must be ensured that this force does not in any way blame the victim.
- Increase in the number of washrooms for women in academic buildings. Maintenance and cleanliness of all washrooms must confirm.
- Appropriate initiatives should be taken to increase security in the university area.
- Non-resident female students should be allowed to enter.
- Ceiling fans should be installed in each women's hall. The number of girls' halls should be increased.
- All forms of slut-shaming, misogynistic comments and cross-examination of clothing must be stopped in classrooms and residence halls.
- Traffic should be controlled in the university area especially in front of the halls.
In 2009, the High Court directed the formation of an Anti-Sexual Harassment cell in every educational institution to prevent sexual harassment.
Even though fifteen years have already elapsed, many institutions in the country have not yet implemented the directive.
According to the High Court, two of the five members of the committee shall be included from outside the institution, which works on gender issues and sexual harassment whereas one member in the committee of Dhaka University has been taken from outside the institution.
But female students are not backing off despite so many mishaps. "Female students will be vocal about this and will take further steps if necessary." stated Ania Fahmin, one of the representatives.