The Bangladesh University Grants Commission and the UN Women will work jointly to end sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the universities in the country.
The announcement was made at a courtesy call on the UGC chairman Professor SMA Faiz by a three-member delegation from UN Women at the UGC in Dhaka on Thursday, said a press release.
UGC members Professor Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan, Professor Masuma Habib, Professor Mohammad Ayub Islam, UGC鈥檚 International Collaboration Division acting director Jesmin Pervin and other concerned officials participated in the meeting.
UN Women deputy country representative Nabanita Sinha, the organisation鈥檚 officials Sadia Tasneem and Tosiba Kashem were present at the meeting.
Nabanita Sinha said that a three-year project was being undertaken to end sexual harassment and gender-based violence in public places, public transport, workplaces and higher education institutions in the country.
鈥楿nder the project, initiatives will be taken to create safe workplaces for women, change attitudes, values 鈥嬧�媋nd behaviours towards women and strengthen institutional systems,鈥� added Nabanita Sinha.
Mentioning that UN Women will implement this project with funding from the European Union, she said, 鈥楾his project will be implemented in five public and private universities selected by the UGC.鈥�
Nabanita Sinha expected UGC鈥檚 cooperation in ending sexual harassment and gender-based violence in higher education institutions in Bangladesh.
A memorandum of understanding will be signed with the UGC for this purpose soon.
UGC chairman said that effective initiatives will be taken to end sexual harassment and gender-based violence in the universities of the country. 鈥楢 policy will be formulated for everyone, including university teachers and students, in this regard.鈥�
He assured UN Women of the implementation of the High Court鈥檚 directives in this regard.
A high-level committee has been formed with UGC member Professor Masuma Habib as convener to end sexual harassment and gender-based violence in universities.
A workshop will be organised soon in collaboration with UN Women to formulate a specific action plan to end sexual harassment and gender-based violence.
