Faiza Islam (not real name) recently completed her honours degree from English Department at Jagannat University. After completion the degree she applied for a job in different private companies. She thought that if she gets a job, it will help her poor father to run their six-member family.
Once she got a phone call for interview from an NGO and attended the interview. Fortunately the interview board of the organization selected her as a programme officer.
After getting the job, Faiza was so excited and waiting for joining. And finally she joined the job on February 1 last year. On the first day many colleagues congratulated her. One of them told her to go to their managing director (MD) room. Faiza went to her MD’s room. When she entered the room, her MD said, “Great!!! I hope you can do your best, sweetheart.”
Faiza became just shock. She never expected that anyone can call her ‘sweetheart’. “I was just shocked. I returned my desk and decided that I won’t do the job. And on the first day of my joining I left the job.”
Ripa Dey (not real name) has been working in a shoe factory for long 10 years. She worked there hardly as her husband left her. She is the only earning members of her five-member family.
Recently, she got a new manager. Once, manager named Rafiqul Ahmed called her in his room. While she entered the room, he (manager) wanted to abuse her. Later, she left the room horridly.
Bangladesh, has achieved the eligibility to be graduated as a developing country from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The women empowerment in economic sector has played an important role in this regard. A total of 34 percent GDP (Gross Domestic Products) has been earned from the working women.
A study shows that around 18.4 million women are engaged in women labour market. But it is hard to say that many of them are not safe at their workplace till now.
In another study shows that around 78 percent women faces sexual abuse in Dhaka city in their workplaces, roads and transports.
Of them, many women don’t want to raise their voices against the abuse. Besides, many women left their jobs.
In garments sector, only 2.2 percent women raise their voices against the sexual abuse.
Human rights activist advocate Monowara Haque said the sexual abuse is a criminal offense. The High Court declared a policy on May 14 in 2009 against the sexual abuse in workplaces.
According to the policy, every office should have a committee to receive any allegation about repression on women. A female member of the office should lead the committee. If they want, the committee can include skilled and experienced one from outside. The information of the victim will be kept secret and committee will complete the trial.
But the reality is so different. Many offices have no such committee.
Mahmudur Rahman, a human right activist, said harassment of women can be checked if the High Court order is executed and everyone become conscious about the sexual abuse on women.
