Are Sexual Harassment Complaint Cells at Universities Providing Effective Remedy?
Higher education institutions in Bangladesh were supposed to be the cradle of learning and freethinking, but now they have become a fearful place for female students. In 2009, the High Court issued a historic directive to set up an anti-sexual harassment complaint cell or committee in every educational institution, but after a decade and a half, the reality is very disappointing. Although there are complaint cells in almost all universities on paper, the affected students are not getting effective remedies there; rather, in many cases, they are facing more harassment both institutionally and socially.
Studies show that the prevalence of sexual harassment in higher education institutions in Bangladesh is alarming. According to data published in May 2026, 76 percent of female students at eight universities in the country have been sexually harassed in some way, according to human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). In the last 10 years, 2,113 cases of sexual harassment and 9,295 cases of rape have been recorded in the country. A recent study conducted at Rajshahi University and Khulna University has revealed that nearly 100 percent of female students have faced unwanted touching or offensive behaviour at least once on campus.
But the biggest concern is the silence of the victims. Statistics show that about 85.7 percent of victims do not file any formal complaint with the authorities. Behind this huge silence, there is a great fear of not getting justice, a long judicial process, social stigma and political influence. In many cases, victims feel that if they complain, their academic career will be destroyed or they will be blamed by society.
In recent years, allegations against teachers at the country’s top universities have shaken the conscience of society. Prof Nadir Junaid of Dhaka University’s Mass Communication and Journalism Department, Saju Saha of Jahangirnagar University’s Marketing Department, a teacher of Chittagong University’s Chemistry Department and a teacher of Pabna University of Science and Technology (PUPRB) have been accused of sexual harassment. A female student of Begum Rokeya University (Berubi) has submitted a 31-page long complaint against a teacher of her department.
According to a study conducted by UN Women, 41.4 percent of sexual harassment on campus is due to political influence and abuse of power. At times, the accused teachers protect themselves under the political umbrella and threaten the complainant with a defamation case. Three students of Dhaka University (DU) have been expelled for molesting women in the university’s TSC area, but the rate of action against teachers is very low. The case of the permanent suspension of Subrata Kumar Biswas, the only teacher of Pabna University of Science and Technology, remains a rare instance.
Just as sexual harassment is a crime, it also leads to the destruction of a student’s entire future. According to the study, a large proportion of the affected students lose focus in studies, skip classes, and many have alarmingly poor academic results or GPA. The impact on mental health is far-reaching. Victims of sexual harassment experience severe stress, long-term depression, insomnia, and helplessness. According to a study, 34.9 percent of young women who were sexually harassed on the basis of technology suffered from suicidal thoughts. It is a matter of national concern. The victims socially isolated themselves and spent their days in isolation.
According to the High Court’s directive, each university is supposed to have a five-member grievance committee, but the UGC’s observation shows that in many cases, these committees are ineffective. The aggrieved students do not know the position of the grievance cell, nor do they have confidence in the committee. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has recently taken a tough stance to resolve this crisis. UGC Chairman Prof. Mamun Ahmed has warned that if any university avoids it as it is not my work after receiving the complaint, the UGC will take action against the institution concerned.
The UGC has proposed to appoint ombudsmen in universities to ensure transparency and speedy redressal. UGC is also conducting a special project to build institutional capacity and awareness in five universities, funded by UN Women and the European Union. But it is not enough to have a complaint cell; its effectiveness and impartiality must be ensured. Universities must implement a strict zero-tolerance policy to prevent sexual harassment and take swift and exemplary administrative and legal action against the accused. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure speedy disposal of complaints through an independent and impartial mechanism by appointing an ombudsman from among the existing citizens as suggested by the UGC.
The entire judicial process should be free from political influence and abuse of power. During the investigation, the victim should be ensured maximum security and institutional protection by keeping the identity of the complainant and the accused secret. However, a long-term solution is not possible only through legal or administrative restrictions; it is necessary to change the patriarchal mindset and create a sense of respect for women. For this, regular awareness seminars, gender education and gender-transformative training should be introduced. In addition, it is necessary to ensure security and immediate assistance through CCTV, adequate lighting, one-stop service and hotline in vulnerable areas of the campus. These steps must be implemented effectively to make the university a safe area for talent development by freeing it from the culture of fear.
In conclusion, the university should be a sacred ground for fearless acquisition of knowledge. When that holy land is tainted, the path of the nation’s intellectual development is blocked. Now is the time to leave behind the promises of a decade and a half of paperwork and ensure effective remedies. It is the will and collective resistance of the authorities that can make universities a safe and respectable home for women students.
Rakibul Hasan Munna
Student, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism
Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur.