Professor Masuma Habib, member of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh, at a workshop in Dhaka on Thursday said that the UGC was taking necessary measures to bring sexual harassment and gender-based violence in higher education institutions down to zero.
She made the remarks at the workshop titled Challenges and Redress in Ending Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence on Campus, which was jointly organised by the UGC and UN Women, said a press release.
Emphasising on several issues such as giving priority to women in forming sexual harassment prevention committees, ensuring transparency and accountability and creating safe campuses, Masuma Habib said, 鈥榃hole of school approach could serve as an ideal model.鈥�
UGC member Professor Mohammad Ayub Islam noted the need for institutional policies and behavioural changes to ensure safe and inclusive campuses.
UGC director Jesmin Pervin said that a three-year European Union-funded project, supported by UN Women, would strengthen institutional mechanisms and change attitudes and create safe educational and work environments for women.
The workshop was attended by heads of sexual harassment prevention committees from 14 universities, representatives of Ain O Salish Kendra and students.
Participants suggested measures, including adopting a zero tolerance policy, forming prevention cells, training on gender awareness, creating gender-sensitive campuses and using technology for complaint management. UN Women officials Shrabana Datta and Tosiba Kashem conducted a session on the whole of school approach during the workshop.