TBM Report ||
Merely forming prevention committees is insufficient; universities must actively investigate every sexual harassment complaint and take prompt punitive actions. Bangladesh University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahsan warned that institution heads failing to address harassment claims will face strict regulatory action.
Speaking as the chief guest at an MoU signing ceremony between the UGC and UN Women at Agargaon on Thursday, August 27, the Chairman emphasized zero tolerance against gender-based violence across higher education institutions. The initiative operates under an European Union-funded project aimed at ending gender-based violence in public spaces, workplaces, and academia.
Professor Mamun highlighted that while public universities and select private institutions established harassment prevention committees per High Court directives, many remain functionally ineffective. He stressed that no authority figure should evade responsibility when a female student or staff member files a complaint. Furthermore, the UGC is forming a national coordination committee comprising faculty, students, staff, and UGC representatives to monitor compliance nationwide.
Deputizing the European Union delegation, Deputy Head Baiba Zarina highlighted that quality education relies heavily on safe academic spaces for women. Under this framework, capacity-building initiatives will target Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Khulna University, Begum Rokeya University, Daffodil International University, and American International University-Bangladesh in partnership with Ain o Salish Kendra.
UGC Secretary Dr. Md. Fakhrul Islam and UN Women Bangladesh Representative Gitanjali Singh executed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The event also cited a 2024 Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics survey revealing that 16 percent of young women aged 20 to 24 have faced technology-facilitated gender violence.
The UGC reiterated its commitment to transforming university campuses into secure, non-discriminatory learning hubs through coordinated institutional interventions.
 Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahsan warned that institution heads failing to address harassment claims will face strict regulatory action.){kind=link}