US Ambassador Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat has called upon women not to be shy in telling about any kind of harassment they face to come out of the situation.
Women in Bangladesh are not alone in the world facing the hazard, she pointed out.
"We have to tell the story. We have to talk to each other, we have to talk to law-enforcing officials. We have to make sure every woman know that this happens and it is not her fault. She has the support she needs.. … not criticism and not above all silence," she said.
The US Ambassador on Tuesday said this while speaking on 'sexual harassment, gender-based violence and the role of media' at the Daily Star Centre during a roundtable with media editors.
The roundtable, co-sponsored by the Protecting Human Rights programme of the USAID and Bangladesh Women Journalists' Network, was also addressed by visiting Deputy Assistant Secretary to South and Central Asia Eileen O'Connor.
Editor-Publisher of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam and Editor-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer Boishakhi Television Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul spoke as keynote speakers in the roundtable where Professor of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University Dr Gitiara Nasreen and Coordinator of Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir attended it as discussants
The US Ambassador highlighted street harassment in the United States which was depicted in a recent study and said this problem would be conquered unitedly.
The Deputy Assistant Secretary highlighted the role of media in fighting against gender-based violence by creating public opinion and said from her own 24 years of journalistic experience that wrong reporting often victimises women more than gender-based violence.
"Getting it wrong actually does more damage to the victim and to the cause than gender-based violence," she said urging men to really understand the issue and help the victim to speak out and get justice.
Mr Mahfuz Anam said media cannot ignore coverage of issues like sexual harassment, gender-based violence, establishing democracy, upholding values as well as recognizing women's role in the society and the economy.
"This role has to be played by media for a harmonised society," he said adding that gender-based violence or sexual harassment is the issue that underlines the role of women in society and in the economy.
Mr Bulbul highlighted the laws related to getting justice against gender-based violence and sexual harassment and underlined the need for change of the mindset towards women.
Among others, Editor of Daily Naya Diganta Alamgir Mohiuddin, Editor of Desh Television Sukanta Gupta Alak, Hameeda Hossain of Ain O Shalish Kendra and BWJN Coordinator Angur Nahar Monty also spoke on the occasion.
smunima@yahoo.com
