Social commitment a must to combat sexual harassment

Social commitment alongside forging resistance have become indispensable to combat sexual harassment against the schoolgirls, speakers told a post-rally discussion in Rajshahi city yesterday.

They said public representatives, parents, civil society members, community and media people should raise voice and work together for preventing sexual harassment.

The meeting styled “Raise voice to eliminate sexual harassment against schoolgirls” held at Chhotobangram Adarsha (Ideal) Girls High School in the city.

“Meyeder Janya Nirapad Nagarikatwa” of Brac organised the programme under its Gender Justice and Diversity project to formulate a set of recommendations on how to expedite the work for combating sexual harassment against the schoolgirls, reports BSS.

During their presentations, Sector Specialists of Brac Mejnin, Sayeeda Sogra, Kaosar Been Latif and Rezwana Afroz, highlighted various aspects of collaborative efforts on the issue.

On the occasion, some documentary films were also screened to create awareness among students of the school.

Ward Councilor of Rajshahi City Corporation Nazma Khatun, Brac District Representative Jahidul Islam, Headmaster of the school Nasima Khatun and President of School Managing Committee Sadrul Islam spoke on the occasion.

The discussants said unemployment, intrusion of foreign culture and weak family bondage were triggering various unexpected incidents like sexual harassment.

“We need to establish social networks and alliances involving government and non-government organisations, community people, civil society and media to reach this goal,” said Nazma Khatun.

She also said sometimes prevention and protest against sexual harassment could not take place due to political influence and lack of security.

The meeting constituted a 15-member community watch-group that will work for eliminating sexual harassment against the schoolgirls at the places around the school.

Some other events like human-chain, signature collection and oath-taking were also held on the occasion to drum up support towards the campaign.