The own office of the 'Complaint Cell for Sexual Harassment' of Jahangirnagar University has been inaugurated today, about 12 years after its establishment. The office was inaugurated in a meeting organised in the Senate Hall of the University today.
A portion of the second floor of the old registrar's university building has been allocated as office space for the sexual harassment complaint cell.
In the inauguration ceremony, a member of the Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC), Professor Dr Abu Taher, was present as the chief guest. In his speech, he stressed the importance of starting from the family to learn against oppression and torture against women.
He said, "If mutual respect and solidarity between men and women or boys and girls are shown everywhere, starting from work institutions, it is possible to create a society free from harassment, oppression and torture."
He urged to organise regular seminars and round table meetings to make the teachers and students of the university aware of sexual harassment. He said which action is sexual harassment and which is not should clearly be known.
"Everyone must be aware of the jurisdiction of the proctor's office and when to come to the complaint cell," he added.
The treasurer of the university and the former convener of the cell, Professor Dr Rasheda Akhtar, said, "As a result of a movement in 2009, the High Court ordered to establish cells in all universities and offices. In continuation, the sexual harassment complaint cell was established at Jahangirnagar University in 2010. I myself have held the responsibility as the head of this cell. When it comes to working objectively, those who work in this cell become disliked by many."
"We did not have any fixed office space. Sometimes the teachers had to work in private rooms, sometimes in the senate hall. However, I can say that during my one-year term as convener, the university administration did not interfere in our work."
Now, women's violence and men's violence are increasing at the same rate, but they are not coming forward. It should be remembered that the sexual harassment cell is important to not only female violence but also male ones.
The event was presided over by the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr Md. Nurul Alam. He said, "The very first complaint cell was formed in Jahangirnagar University after the guidelines from the High Court Division. The first cell was formed by convening Khursida Begum, a Department of Government and Politics teacher. We have a zero-tolerance policy in this regard. My office has a directive that no matter how urgent a meeting I am in, any allegations of sexual harassment should be reported immediately. There should be no delay in signing the file regarding this issue."
He added, "A total of 27 complaints have been received so far after the formation of the cell. Out of these, the investigation report of 23 complaints has been submitted to the authorities. 4 complaints are under investigation. Out of these 18 complaints have recommended punishment, 17 have been punished, one complaint has been referred back to the Sexual Harassment Committee from the Syndicate. The remaining cases did not fall under sexual harassment. It means that this cell is working efficiently."
Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Sheikh Md. Monjurul Huq, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law; Tapos Kumar Das, Chairman of the Sexual Harassment Complaints Committee; Prof. Dr Jebunnesa, an external member of the sexual abuse complaint committee, Professor of Dhaka University, Zobaida Nasreen, Bangladesh University Grants Commission Deputy Director Mouli Azad and others addressed their speech there.
It may be noted that on January 3rd of last year, the sexual harassment complaint cell was reconstituted at Jahangirnagar University.
In light of the directives of the High Court for filing complaints about sexual abuse, harassment etc., the Professor of the Department of Public Administration, Dr Jebunnessa, became the chairman of the reconstituted committee.
Other committee members are Associate Professor Tapos Kumar Das of the Law and Justice Department, Assistant Professor of Public Health and Informatics Department Mr Zebunnesa Zeba, Assistant Professor of Bangabandhu Institute of Comparative Literature and Culture Ishita Akhtar, Professor of Microbiology Department of Dhaka University. Savita Rizwana Rahman and Associate Professor of Anthropology Department, Jobaida Nasreen. Besides, Deputy Registrar (General Administration) of Jahangirnagar University Shahnaz Hossain has been made member secretary.
