Media not reporting workplace sexual harassments of women: Minister Inu

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu has claimed workplace sexual harassment of women by their bosses is very common in Bangladesh, but it gets little attention from the media.

He urged the media to 'shrug off shyness' and cover these incidents while speaking at a dialogue titled 'Media and Our Responsibility in Preventing Violence Against Women' at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Monday.

"From government officials to garment sector workers many are experiencing such incidents now and then. But, were are the reports on the papers? I see no reports," the minister said.

"I see no report stating how many higher officials have been accused of sexual harassment in government or private offices.

"And what about sexual harassment of female workers in politics, by big bosses of political parties?" he asked.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Inu alleged women were rather being harassed while protesting against sexual harassment.

He also hoped the media would launch an awareness campaign against such incidents through film, drama, and documentaries.   

"The mass media can raise awareness against gender inequality and sexual harassment of women. The media's action can change people's mindset quickly. Such rapid changes cannot be possible even by the government making laws," Inu said.

He also urged the victims of sexual harassment to be courageous to file complaints.

"It won't be right to conceal violence against women. You'll have to speak it out…The women will have to shun the culture of 'being silent'. This will reduce the number of sexual harassments," the minister said.

National Highways Development Project organised the dialogue. The project's gender specialist Labony Yasmin Zeba moderated the event.