Govt urged to frame policy to curve sexual harassment at workplaces
Tuesday, 19 January 2010
Rights activists at a seminar in the city Monday urged the government to formulate a policy to check all sorts of sexual harassment at workplaces.
They also called for waging a strong social movement incorporating all including media people to help check the social crime.
Alliance for Women Workers’ Rights (AWWR), a rights-based organisation, arranged the seminar on "Experience Sharing with Key Stakeholders on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace" in cooperation with International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the city, reports BSS.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian spoke as the chief guest on the occasion with AWWR Chairperson Prof Ishrat Shamim in the chair.
ILO Director Panudda Boonpala, AWAR steering committee members Rebeka Sultana Sathi, Rokeya Rafique, Taleya Rahman and Dr Halida Hanum Khondaker took part as designated discussants.
Project Director of Bangladeshi Ovibashi Mohila Sramik Association (BOMSA) Sumaya Islam, members of law enforcement agencies, local and international rights organisations, professionals and distinguished personalities took part in the seminar.
The state minister said half of the country's total population was women and therefore no tangible development of the country would be possible without the development of women.
She reiterated the government's commitment to reducing sexual harassment of women at workplaces and elsewhere and called for a concerted effort to supplement the government's efforts in this connection.
Prof Ishrat Shamim said sexual harassment at workplaces reduce productivity and ultimately reduce the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.
Media could play a significant role in curbing sexual harassment by creating awareness all over the country against the social offence, she said.
Rokeya Rafique said perpetrators would have to be given exemplary punishment after bringing them into book so that none could dare to commit such crimes.
They also called for waging a strong social movement incorporating all including media people to help check the social crime.
Alliance for Women Workers’ Rights (AWWR), a rights-based organisation, arranged the seminar on "Experience Sharing with Key Stakeholders on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace" in cooperation with International Labour Organisation (ILO) in the city, reports BSS.
State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian spoke as the chief guest on the occasion with AWWR Chairperson Prof Ishrat Shamim in the chair.
ILO Director Panudda Boonpala, AWAR steering committee members Rebeka Sultana Sathi, Rokeya Rafique, Taleya Rahman and Dr Halida Hanum Khondaker took part as designated discussants.
Project Director of Bangladeshi Ovibashi Mohila Sramik Association (BOMSA) Sumaya Islam, members of law enforcement agencies, local and international rights organisations, professionals and distinguished personalities took part in the seminar.
The state minister said half of the country's total population was women and therefore no tangible development of the country would be possible without the development of women.
She reiterated the government's commitment to reducing sexual harassment of women at workplaces and elsewhere and called for a concerted effort to supplement the government's efforts in this connection.
Prof Ishrat Shamim said sexual harassment at workplaces reduce productivity and ultimately reduce the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.
Media could play a significant role in curbing sexual harassment by creating awareness all over the country against the social offence, she said.
Rokeya Rafique said perpetrators would have to be given exemplary punishment after bringing them into book so that none could dare to commit such crimes.