UGC Chairman Warns Universities of Strict Action Over Failure to Address Sexual Harassment
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The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has warned that universities will face disciplinary action if they fail to effectively address sexual harassment on their campuses. UGC Chairman Professor Mamun Ahmed stated on Thursday that merely forming anti-harassment committees, as mandated by High Court directives, is insufficient if those bodies fail to perform their duties diligently.
Professor Ahmed made the remarks at the UGC headquarters in Agargaon during a ceremony marking the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UGC and UN Women. The agreement, part of a European Union-funded project, aims to prevent sexual and gender-based violence in workplaces, public spaces, and higher education institutions.
The MoU was signed by UGC Secretary Md. Fakhrul Islam and UN Women Bangladesh Representative Gitanjali Singh. The initiative is set to bolster institutional capacity to combat gender-based violence at five specific institutions: Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Khulna University, Begum Rokeya University, Daffodil International University, and the American International University-Bangladesh.
During the event, officials highlighted data from a 2024 survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, which revealed that 16 percent of young women aged 20 to 24 have experienced gender-based violence facilitated by technology.
Professor Ahmed noted that while many public and some private universities have established anti-harassment committees, UGC monitoring indicates that these panels are often ineffective. He stressed that university officials must take all complaints seriously and avoid redirecting victims or dismissing cases. He further announced plans to form a national-level committee tasked with coordinating and supervising these institutional efforts. This proposed body will include representatives from among teachers, students, university staff, and the UGC.
Beiba Zarina, Deputy Head of the European Union delegation, underscored the necessity of a safe environment for female educators, students, and staff to ensure the quality of higher education. Other notable attendees included UGC member Professor Md. Abdullah Al Mamun, International Cooperation Division Director Sultan Mahmud Bhuiyan, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Vice-Chancellor Professor Md. Khairul Islam.
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