Why most women are not in position to speak about sexual harassment or violence done to them? This is because most of the cases do not receive proper judgment. The incident on Pahela Baioshakh is a pertinent case in point. On the day, a number of women were sexually harassed by hooligans near the Dhaka University campus. It was evident from the video footages. But the authorities, including the law enforcers, were in a denial mood about the veracity of the incident. The question obviously is: Whom do they want to shelter?
In Bangladesh, many of us are affected by sexual violence but hardly any one talks about it. Maybe they don't know that sexual harassment includes every sort of unwelcome and unwanted behaviour with women. The Indian Supreme Court defines harassment as sexually determined behaviour which includes physical contact, a demand or request for sexual favours, sexually colored remarks, showing pornography, or any other unwelcome physical, verbal or non-verbal conduct of sexual nature.
Women face harassment almost everywhere -- on streets, buses, in schools and colleges, in the market places, crowded roads and lonely alleys. They are, as though, regular victims of unapologetic stares and inappropriate touches from strangers.
From her early age, woman comes across unwanted situations at every step. When she becomes adolescent she faces the most difficult time. At this age she is offered unwanted relationship by her teachers, friends, cousins or strangers. Sometimes women face the situation in the workplaces too. Even most of the women in Bangladesh are sexually abused by her husband. Many women still believe that they are only meant to fulfill their husband's sexual demands, whether or not they are willing for the activity. Many men also believe that a marriage certificate allows them sexual licence with their partners, regardless of the latter's will. Sexual harassment makes the victim scared not only of the assaulter but also of her workplace or educational institution.
Many women avoid complaining because they think that publicity may affect her reputation and so on. So, a rape victim is victimised further after the rape when she approaches a court of law seeking justice and punishment for the violator. As a result, a rape victim may consider it less disgraceful to keep her mouth shut and suffer in silent tears rather than having her private life scrutinised in public. The members of the police in most of the cases look down upon the oppressed women and will not take their complaints unless they are compelled to do so by pressure from a higher authority.
This is why, many women are forced to ignore harassment. But it doesn't mean that this silent suffering does not affect them physically, emotionally, psychologically and even economically.
In our country there are some laws for prevention of sexual harassment, but the existing laws are vague and inadequate and often fail to address the multifaceted nature of such crimes. In 2000, the government enacted the Suppression of Violence Against Women and Children Act to address the issue of violence against women and children. According to section 10(1) of the Act, if any man who touches the sexual organ or any private part of a women or a child with the intent to fulfill his sexual lust, the act should be considered sexual oppression and for this that man is liable to be punished with minimum rigorous imprisonment for three years with or without further financial penalty. According to section 10(2) of the Act, if any man outrages the modesty of a woman or poses indecent gesture with the intent of fulfilling his sexual lust, he is liable to be punished with minimum rigorous imprisonment from two to seven years and shall also be liable to fine.
Although the Constitution of Bangladesh states that women have equal footing with men in all spheres of public life, it also recognises the religious personal laws which are unequal to women. According to the Constitution, the state is to take responsibility to ensure non-discrimination among its citizens and maintain gender equality. However, in the personal sphere, the state does not specify its responsibility to ensure non-discrimination. The society is thus apathetic to the rightful coexistence of women beside men. This unfortunately is the unofficial rule of the game women are asked to accept. The process starts from the early days of a girl child. She feels ignored and as she grows up, a sense of alienation takes hold of her life. When sexual harassment comes to be a part of her living, things turn worse. Is it only the silent tears that she should take refuge in?
The writer is a Ph.D fellow on Gender and Development Studies. Asian Institute of Technology (AIT).Thailand. jakia_begum99@yahoo.com
