DU Anti-sexual Harassment Cell does not work properly

Since the beginning of the year (2024), one of the most talked about issues has been the surging incidents of sexual harassment in universities and other educational institutions.
Recently, Fairuz Abantika, a student of the Law Department of Jagannath University (JnU) 2017-18 academic year, committed suicide by hanging herself after posting a note on Facebook on Friday (March 15).
In February last, a professor of Dhaka University was accused of two back to back incidents of sexual assaults.
Students continued protests for several days demanding justice on the DU campus.
Later, the professor was sent on compulsory leave and a fact-finding committee was formed.
In various universities and educational institutions of the country, women are frequently subjected to such sexual harassment.
But every university should have an anti-sexual harassment cell.
In 2009, the High Court directed formation of an anti-sexual harassment cell in every educational institution to prevent sexual harassment.

Even though fifteen years have already elapsed, many institutions in the country have not yet implemented the directive.
On the other hand, a majority of the students even do not know what is called anti-sexual harassment cell.
This correspondent talked with at least 100 students of Dhaka University, most of whom said they do not have the idea of it.
Though a few students know about it, they do not know how to lodge complaints there.
According to the Bangladesh University Grants Commission, 45 public and 87 private universities have so far formed such fact-finding committees.
The number of private universities in Bangladesh is more than 100 and public universities 61. DU anti-sexual harassment cell does not work properly
According to the High Court directive, two of the five members of the committee shall be included from outside the institution, which works on gender issues and sexual harassment whereas one member in the committee of Dhaka University has been taken from outside the institution.
Also, students can lodge complaints directly to this cell.
Although there is supposed to be a complaint box for direct complaints, however, there is no visible complaint box in the university.
It is also difficult for a female student to contact any of the committee members for taking advice, as they have no office, no publicly open mail or contact number in a visible place.
However, there is a directive to hang the names and email addresses of the members in the main office of the organisation or in a visible place.
Although the High Court directive laid emphasis on awareness through proper publicity campaign regarding sexual harassment of students, the sell does not have any awareness activities.
The directive says the Grievance Committee will send the inquiry report to the authorities concerned of the organisation within 30 days.
If necessary, the period can be extended from 30 days to 60 days.
The Grievance Committee mentions the submission of an annual report regarding the implementation of the policy to the organisation.
Yet universities all over the world have separate trained committees on sexual harassment, inform students about the complaint process, provide physical and emotional support to women victims of harassment, conduct awareness campaigns and take these incidents very seriously.
Nasreen Ahmed, former president of Dhaka University's Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell, mentioned a student can complain directly if he/she wants, adding, "When we were there, every dean's office or department was instructed to have a complaint box, in some places it was implemented, I don't know if it is there now."
However, initially students may seek advice from the student adviser. They can lodge complaints to the department or Dean's office.
They can also file complaints to the proctor or VC. Later they will hand it over to the anti-sexual harassment Cell.
"Even though there is a five-member committee in the Anti-Sexual Harassment Cell, a separate inquiry committee is often formed in the Syndicate meeting," she commented.
In this regard, she said if the committee of the cell is not effective, then a new committee can be formed, but if the committee is effective, there is no need to form a new committee.
However, if an incident is more important, then a separate committee may be formed for it in emergency situations, she added.
She also said many times even if a decision comes from the cell, many teachers later take it to the High Court.
Referring to a teacher, she said once a teacher's complaint was proved, he was suspended from all activities. He appealed to the High Court. Later the court ruled that he could take classes.
When asked Tania Haque, Professor of Women and Gender Studies Department of Dhaka University, she asked the opposite question, this is my question too, why would a teacher sexually abuse a student?
Tania Haque is also a member of the sexual harassment cell.
Asked why most students do not know anything about cells, she said, "We need more awareness campaigns on this issue. By putting up banners and giving warnings, the students could have known that we will do more work keeping these things in mind."
However, she assured that every complaint is looked into, appropriate action is also taken if the complaint against anyone is proved. No one was exempted.
Professor Zeenat Huda served as the president of Dhaka University's Anti- Sexual Harassment Cell for almost two years.
Prof Huda said that a total of three complaints came to her during her tenure. She completed investigation into all the three.
"We take appropriate action if allegations against anyone are proved." she assured. 90 per cent victims do not make complaint, she said.
Rajshahi University Law Department Professor Dr Md Abdul Alim conducted a study on this complaint in his university.
The study revealed that 92 per cent of the female students did not lodge complaints in the cell for fear of stigma and not getting justice.
Zafar Iqbal, a prominent writer said, even now this issue is being discussed, but no one is talking until a while.
"We have seen how criminals get away. Students don't complain because they are afraid, but they need to get out of this place."
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