Speakers: Moral, sex education had a need to prevent sexual harassment
Proper moral and sex education along with coordinated efforts from stakeholders are had a need to prevent sexual harassment, child marriage and ensure the rights of girls, speakers said at a discussion on Saturday.
They made the observation at a webinar on 'Exploring the reality and possible solution of concurrent sexual harassment and rape issues in Bangladesh' organised by Chittagong University Debating Society (CUDS), reports UNB.
Dr Mehtab Khanam, the Chairman of Education and Counselling Psychology at Dhaka University, urged the government to supply proper sexual education.
"Sexual education is crucial to create awareness in the society. Educational institutions can bring big changes easily since it has a big effect on a kid growing up," she said.
Khanam said many girls have no idea about their rights and even concerned about them.
Dr Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, Joint Secretary of Member (Finance & Trade), Bangladesh Tea Board, said that people are used to blaming another and victim-blaming.
"We must build social awareness and social movement against rape," she said.
Bangladesh has seen a rise in the number of rape incidents in recent months. Between January and September this season, practically 1,000 rape incidents were reported, over 200 of them gang rapes, according to Ain O Salish Kendra.
Many victims usually do not report assaults fearing social stigma or their safety.
A series of rape cases lately sparked countrywide protests prompting the government to create death penalty the best punishment for rape.
The Human Rights Watch notes that the conviction rate for rape in Bangladesh is below 1 percent.
Prof ABM Abu Noman, dean, faculty of Law, Chittagong University, also the moderator of CUDS, emphasised modernising the laws.
"Just how a rape victim is interrogated isn't okay. She may feel uncomfortable in court to discuss her rape incident at length," he said.
Ananna Chakraborty, Mediation officer, Bangladesh Legal Aid Service Trust (BLAST), concurred.
Sakib Bin Rashid, Chief Instructor of Robi ten minutes school, said most of our workspaces are not female-friendly.
The speakers also stressed the necessity to raise awareness about the problems.
