Without participation of males, the movement cannot achieve its desired goal and there will be no end to sexual harassment of women

 

Speakers at the discussion at National Press Club, Dhaka on Thursday Focus Bangla
 

Speakers at a discussion have underlined the need for participation of people from all walks of life, especially males, in the #MeToo Movement running worldwide for its success.

#MeToo Movement-Bangladesh organized a discussion titled “#MeToo Movement in Bangladesh: Possibility and Challenges” at the National Press Club on Thursday, reports UNB.

Without participation of males, the movement cannot achieve its desired goal and there will be no end to sexual harassment of women, they said.

Around 30 women from different professions took part in the program and raised their voices against all types of sexual harassment against them.

Dhaka University Mass Communication and Journalism Department Chairperson, Prof Dr Kaberi Gayen said: “We must raise our voice against any sort of harassment of women. We must appreciate those women who are revealing what happened to them. If we don’t expose the culprits, they’ll continue to repeat such crimes.”

Demanding institutional steps against those involved in such kinds of crimes, she said: “In our country, most of the media houses and government and private organizations have no specific guidelines on sexual harassment of women. 

“Even in Dhaka University, if any female teacher is harassed by her male counterpart, the university authorities form a probe body to look into it instead of taking immediate action.” 

Conducted by Udisa Islam, chief reporter of online news portal Bangla Tribune, Mushfika Laizu, Zakia Sultana Mukta, and Tashnuva Anan shared their experiences of sexual harassment at the program.

Prof Fahmidul Haq of DU Mass Communication and Journalism department, Executive Director of Ain O Salish Kendra, Sheepa Hafiza, Bangladesh Female Journalists’ Association President, Nasimun Ara Haque Minu, and Banglavision News Editor, Sharmeen Rinvy, spoke at the discussion, among others.

Courtesy: https://www.dhakatribune.com/

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In a solidarity event that voiced support for female victims of sexual abuse, female journalists have called on women from all spheres to speak up against abusers.

A slew of allegations made through social media have taken Bangladesh by storm, as women, one after another are accusing men in powerful positions of sexually harassing them without any consequence.

Female journalists held a demonstration in front of National Press Club on Friday afternoon, calling the nation to stand by these victims.

Speakers at the event also called on people to stand up to these social crimes against women in their homes, their workplaces and on the streets.

Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra (centre for women journalists) President Nasimun Ara Haque Minu said: “Allegations against rich, powerful and influential businessmen, journalists, publishers and university teachers have been revealed.

“No matter how talented, no matter how rich or powerful they may be, they cannot get away with this. We have to speak up, otherwise the offenders will continue to get away with their crimes,” she said.

“We have to stand beside and support those who have already spoken up,” she added.

She also said that these protests will continue in future and all female journalists gathered at the event are standing up against abusers.

Minu called on all employers to implement the High Court’s instructions on workplace sexual harassment, adding that this would significantly reduce such incidents.

Women Journalist Forum President Mamtaz Bilkis Banu lauded the Daily Star for addressing allegations raised against their staff.

“We hope that this will be an example for other organizations,” she said.

Bangladesh Women Journalist Forum General Secretary Sharmin Rinvi said many famous personalities had been unmasked by the revelations.

Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Samity President Nasima Soma said there was no alternative to raising awareness in the family in order to prevent sexual harassment.

Journalist Udia Islam vowed to stand up against those who will try to stifle this social movement.

“This is not a new problem. For ages women and children have lived through these problems. But as conscious parents we cannot keep our children near these assailants. This is a mental disease,” she said.

Speakers called on assailants to publicly apologise and for social organizations to remove them as members.

Courtesy: Dhaka Tribune

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