Lives in the cities have become very difficult for women as they face various forms of sexual harassment by their male counterparts, according to a recent study.
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) carried out the study in seven divisional towns including Narayanganj.
Financed by Action Aid Bangladesh the report was released at Spectra Convention Centre yesterday. The organisation also launched national campaign titled Safe Cities for Women.
BIDS Senior Research Fellow MA Mannan presented the findings.
A total of 1,200 people were interviewed. Of them 800 are women and girls, 200 men and 200 boys under 18.
As per the findings, 76% women and girls complained about sexual harassment and 44% women aged above 30 face similar harassment.
The study finds that women in the cities face various forms of harassment in public places; 86% of them face obnoxious comments while 48% eve teasing.
Of the interviewees, 97% women and 95% men consider the sexual harassment as violence against women.
The study finds that women generally do not make any complain unless it is unbearable. 50% victims suffer silently without registering any protest.
Only 16 women report to different agencies or organisations while 84% do not do so out of fear of reprisal considering the image of the family and complexity in the process of reporting and so on.
95% of the interviewees alleged that they had to endure harassment and overcome obstacles to receive assistance from police.
Action Aid Country Director Farah Kabir said: “If a woman cannot move freely in her cities then how she would contribute to the development.”
Speaking as guest of honour Narayanganj City Corporation Mayor Ivy Rahman observed that such survey would not bring any remedy to the victims unless the recommendations are not implemented properly.
She said 36 children were killed in a year in Narayanganj. “What can I do? I cannot do anything as the administration and police are not with me?”
Under political back-up perpetrators are acquitted one after another. Under the name of various Leagues some quarters are committing crimes and go unpunished.
In exchange for bribe police never bring the criminals to book, she said.
Speaking as chief guest Hasanul Haq Inu said it is difficult to stop sexual harassment but not impossible.
Inu suggested nocturnal patrol team with female police along with male ones to stop such crimes.
The study recommends formulation of new laws, their proper implementation, providing services to victims and introduction of 24-hour help line at every upazila.
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development of the UK lawmaker Lynne Featherstone spoke on the occasion.
Treasurer of Executive Board of AAB Hafizuddin Khan also spoke at the programme.