Why ferocity against women in universities?

Women are not safe anywhere at home or outside - is this finally going to be true in Bangladesh? From domestic violence to incidents on public transportation and in the workplace, violence against women is always making headlines in the newspapers. This time, allegations have arisen that incidents of sexual harassment are occurring one after another in various universities across the country. According to a report published in a national daily yesterday (March 20), in the top five universities of the country, 27 incidents of sexual harassment have been reported in the last two years. Such news deeply affects our national mental health!

A university is the highest seat of learning in a country. The brightest and most talented students come to study at universities. University-educated students not only aim to build their own future but also the future of their country. Any parent feels proud to be able to send their children to university. However, what is the state of our universities today? If this situation persists, instead of feeling proud, parents will feel anxious.

The issue of sexual harassment in universities has been discussed many times before. However, this time, the topic has come to light again with the suicide of Jagannath University student Fairuz Sadaf Avantika. Even after Fairuz Sadaf Avantika complained about sexual harassment, the proctor's office of the university kept it a secret. This is the most horrifying aspect of the incident. Despite knowing about the incident, why didn't the university take action? This is why Avantika had to resort to suicide. After Avantika's suicide, many more female students have come forward with allegations. However, even if they make allegations, the administration does not take action. As a result, they refrain from making complaints.

According to information published in the media, despite the formation of complaint committees in universities following the directives of the High Court, the effectiveness of these committees is minimal in most universities. Even though there are complaint committees in universities, the University Grants Commission (UGC) does not have information on what they are doing. This means that there are complaint committees in name only, and they are not providing any security to the female students. Reports suggest that in 70 to 80 percent of cases, the committees do not take responsibility for handling complaints. In other words, many incidents remain unnoticed. After the emotional suicide of Avantika, a student has expressed her feelings of suffering. Do we know how many female students are suffering in universities like this?

According to the latest annual report of the UGC, there are currently approximately 44 lakh 16 thousand students enrolled in the country's public universities, colleges, and madrasas. Among them, female students constitute 48 percent. In the last academic year, there were more female students enrolled in Dhaka University than male students. The almost equal number of male and female students in the country's educational institutions is very significant. However, the rate of female education is increasing in the country. Women entering the workforce play a vital role in the development and economy of the country. But if educational institutions are not safe for women, then where else will be safe for them?

If perpetrators do not receive punishment, such incidents will continue to increase. Proper punishment must be given to the perpetrators through thorough investigation of the incidents. Educational institutions are beautiful and sacred places. It is not just about sexual harassment, not just about violence against women, but any kind of misconduct should not be expected to occur in universities.