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What Political Parties Do to Prevent Sexual Harassment!

CPB Central Committee Secretary Jolly Talukder has not yet been received justice after allegedly getting sexually harassed by one of his party leaders. Does it happen in other political parties in Bangladesh? Does the victim get justice?

Jolly Talukder went on a hunger strike last week in front of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) office to seek justice. Later, she broke his fast with the assurance of the central leaders. Although she broke her fast with the promise of taking action, no action has been taken against the accused yet.

Jolly Talukder lodged a written complaint on March 3. But she did not get any answer and started fasting. She alleged that she was sexually harassed by party member Zahid Hossain Khan during a party procession from Mukti Bhaban to the National Press Club on February 26th to attend a rally of the Left Democratic Alliance. She immediately informed Comrade Abdullah Kafi Ratan, who was present in the procession, about the incident and sought redressal. Zahid Hossain Khan is a member of CPB's Dhaka Metropolitan Committee

However, Jolly does not want to talk about this in the media anymore. "Since the party is looking into the matter now, I do not want to comment on it in the media until their investigation is completed," she said. ''Referring to the overall situation, our team should address women's issues more seriously," she said In particular, to follow the policy of the High Court regarding sexual harassment.

A Dhaka University student has filed a rape case against six people, including Hasan Al Mamun, head of the Student Rights Council, Former VP of Ducsu Nurul Haque Nur was also accused of collaborating in the case, Although Mamun was suspended from the organization, Nur called the case "false" and "conspiratorial". Although they formed a committee of inquiry, the woman who filed the rape case complained, "Those who protested after I filed the case have been made members of the probe committee." It remains to be seen what the outcome will be. "

According to the student, even though he is not a listed member of the Student Rights Council, she is a well-wisher of the organization. She has joined their various programs as Mamun's girlfriend. "Now, using popularity, they want to take the matter to a different level," she said. ''I am being humiliated by spreading my picture on social media. Attempts are being made to obstruct my trial.," she added.

Thus, in many groups, female members are more or less sexually harassed. But the events do not come to the fore. Many do not even dare to complain. Even if someone complains, the woman political activist has to face the crisis. Again some incidents were settled at the party level. Incidents of sexual harassment also occur within the student organizations of the parties.

According to the Election Commission Act, it has been made mandatory to have 33% of women members in the Central Committees of all parties. In order to truly empower women in the political arena, more attention needs to be paid to ensuring the safety and dignified coexistence of women within the party.

Awami League Women's Affairs Secretary Meher Afroz Chumki admits that they occasionally receive allegations of "minor" sexual harassment within their party, but is unaware that any "large-scale" incidents have ever taken place. "We look into the matter when we get a complaint, but we don't have a separate cell for that," she said.

Asked about the party's response to the High Court's directive, she said, "The situation is the same across the country. There is nothing to form a cell in a separate group. There are one-stop crisis centers in the government sector, 999 there are 8 There are many more."

However, she thinks, "Women who come to politics have to understand their own environment first and foremost and must have a sense of security. Otherwise, how will the party protect all the women in the party?''

BNP Women's Affairs Secretary Noor Ara Safar claims that they are always trying to ensure the safety of women members of the party. This is why they are kept in front, especially when there is a meeting or procession He further claimed that allegations of sexual harassment of women in their group have not been found so far "We have a complaint cell," he said Anyone who has been sexually harassed can complain."

Source: DW Bangla

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Topic : Politics Crime

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