#MeToo – Call for more revelation of sexual harassment in Bangladesh

A group of women working in different sectors, including the media, have come out on the street to support those revealing stories of sexual abuse, especially at workplace.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 Nov 2018, 09:46 PM
Updated : 16 Nov 2018, 09:46 PM

The speakers at the human-chain event organised under the banner of #MeToo Movement Bangladesh in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka on Friday called for more revelations to stop recurrence of such incidents.

“We must raise our voice against such crime and support those who are revealing these. The culprits will get the chance to repeat such crimes if we hide in shame,” Nasimun Ara Hoq Minu, the president of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra, a centre of female journalists, said.

Even small boys sometimes face sexual harassment by close relatives, she pointed out. “We must raise awareness against these,” she said.

No-one, no matter how rich and influential they are, should be allowed to get away with such crimes, she added.

She announced that the movement against sexual harassment will continue. The group will organise a similar programme at the same venue on Saturday morning, according to Minu.

She welcomed “quick steps by some organisations after allegations of sexual harassment inside the organisations had surfaced”.

Bangladesh Women Journalists’ Forum President Momtaz Bilkis said mothers in Bangladesh silence their small daughters in fear of shame which encourage the perpetrators.

“So society must step forward,” she said, adding that the media can play a key role in raising awareness against sexual abuse.

She also pointed out that the #MeToo movement was not particularly against the men. “It’s a movement to free society from louses,” she said.

Bangla Tribune Chief Reporter Udisa Islam warned against any bid to troll the #MeToo campaign on the social media.

“We, who have stood here today, will foil any such bid,” she said.

Banglavision News Editor Sharmeen Rinvy called for boycott by political parties of any member accused of sexual harassment.