Addressing the crisis of gender-based violence on campus
It was in the corners of a university hallway, my (Azra) books pressed tightly to my chest, that I first understood the weight of silence. A friend had confided in me about her professor – a man whose late-night phone calls felt intrusive, whose compliments edged into discomfort. She dismissed it with a trembling laugh. "It's nothing," she insisted, though the crack in her voice betrayed her. I knew it wasn't nothing. Stories like hers don't disappear on campuses like ours; they linger unspoken, ever-present in the quiet spaces, waiting for someone to finally listen.
University campuses ought to be places where we can learn, grow, and discover new things. Yet, for many women and gender-diverse students in Bangladesh, these spaces have become arenas of fear and marginalisation due to pervasive gender-based violence (GBV). This violence manifests in forms ranging from sexual harassment to systemic exclusion, establishing an atmosphere where safety is compromised and voices are silenced.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Basma Rahim, a student at Independent University, Bangladesh, relays her personal observation about gender-based violence and the inaction by respective authorities at her institution. "After an incident of gender-based violence, the proctors who deal with these issues were unavailable for a long time, and once they could finally be contacted, they claimed they were not allowed to rusticate or suspend anyone during the absence of the Vice-Chancellor, so the perpetrator was not penalised."
The numbers paint a bleak picture. A study conducted at Rajshahi University titled "Strategies for preventing masculinity and gender-based violence in higher educational institutions of Bangladesh: A study of Rajshahi University" revealed that 90 percent of students subjected to sexual harassment choose not to report their experiences, fearing stigma and the futility of action. The perpetrators – often classmates or even teachers – wield institutional or political power, perpetuating a culture of impunity. The tragedy at Jagannath University, where a student's suicide showed us the lack of recourse against harassment, is a heartbreaking reminder of these realities.
A pattern of silence and inaction
For women, harassment on campus often goes unreported. Whether it's an inappropriate remark, coercion by a teacher, or cyber harassment, fear of retaliation or damage to one's reputation keeps survivors silent. Gender-diverse students, like those from the Hijra communities, face additional layers of marginalisation. They endure not only harassment but also institutional discrimination. This exclusion normalises bias and denies their rightful place in higher education.
Grievance redressal mechanisms on campuses are woefully inadequate. Anti-harassment cells, where they exist, often fail to function effectively. Decisions are delayed, investigations are derailed by political interference, and survivors are left without closure.
Despite a 2009 High Court directive mandating the formation of sexual harassment committees, implementation remains inconsistent. Many universities have not even established such committees, while others operate with little transparency or accessibility.
The human cost
The human cost of GBV on campuses cannot be overstated. Survivors face psychological trauma, academic setbacks, and often an erosion of trust in institutions meant to protect them. For gender-diverse students, who frequently face harassment from classmates and teachers alike, the cost includes exclusion from educational opportunities entirely. The lack of safe spaces forces many to abandon their studies, depriving them of the futures they deserve.
When the perpetrators are teachers, the dynamics become even more fraught. Earlier this year, a Dhaka University (DU) professor was relieved of academic and administrative duties after a fact-finding committee uncovered preliminary evidence of sexual harassment and mental abuse. For Sarah*, a student at DU, the experience of seeking justice revealed the chilling intricacies of the process. "The perpetrator and I had to share the same room when I was called to the sexual harassment cell," she recounted. "It was excruciating to endure the stress of proving that I was the victim of his advances."
Rupaiya Shrestha Tanchangya, a student at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, at DU, believes the solution lies in clearer institutional boundaries. "There should be explicit guidelines for both students and teachers to avoid any room for miscommunication," she said. "Like Oxford, universities here should implement policies banning romantic relationships between students and teachers. With the unequal power dynamics at play, these situations can spiral into something far more damaging for everyone involved."
When perpetrators are politically connected or hold positions of power, accountability becomes a distant dream. The absence of consequences reinforces a toxic environment where abuse thrives unchecked. This culture of impunity does not merely harm individuals; it undermines the integrity of educational institutions themselves.
Inadequacies of existing policies
Most universities in Bangladesh claim to adhere to a strict anti-discriminatory policy that includes the protection of students from gender-based violence, but in reality, only a few institutions truly enforce these regulations. More often than not, students are unaware of policies in place in their own institutions, leading to disorientation about where to seek assistance after facing harassment.
The majority of universities do not observe any seminars or awareness campaigns against sexual harassment or gender-based violence, and the few that do, have low attendance rates or substandard content. Regardless of the frequency of such campaigns, without mandatory attendance and rehashing of existing policies, such measures are rendered ineffective.
Another matter of note is the lack of alignment between the actions and formal policies, which doesn't have much room for optimism as large numbers of students tend to have no faith in their authority's discretion. A common answer among university students was that proctorial teams or student welfare committees are rarely keen on abiding by regulation, instead focusing on demotivating students from taking action by citing a lack of evidence or simply displaying negligence.
Awsaf Hossain Chowdhury, a student at BRAC University, states, "While the university policy notes stern action to be taken, it can be rarely seen that they implement these policies towards individuals found guilty."
Schools are often devoid of any awareness endeavours against sexual harassment, let alone concrete policies. Abm Farhan Tajwar Khan Bishal, a student at Mastermind English Medium School, shares his observation of gender-based violence on his own campus and his school's inaction towards them. "Our authority is infamous for blaming the victims and even expelling them. There are no policies regarding gender-based violence or sexual harassment, other than separating the two sexes, which is absurd."
Reputed institutions are often quick to silence any issues regarding sexual harassment and discrimination as they believe such incidents besmirch their image, and further compromise the safety of their students through inaction.
Minimisation of microaggressions
Gender-based violence and sexual harassment cases are brushed under the rug more often than not, so it comes as no surprise that female students encounter such horrendous circumstances on a regular basis in the pursuit of education. Female students tend to be on the receiving end of inappropriate behaviour and comments by students and faculties alike, which are often unaddressed as they're not deemed serious enough to warrant attention. Yet, turning the other cheek to microaggression makes further room for escalation in the future.
Aurora Dewan*, a BRAC University student, shared that she had witnessed many counts of microaggressions towards female students during her university life, having been a victim of it herself as well. "A friend of mine once turned down the advances of a fellow male student, who continued to pursue her regardless of her refusal. He later took videos of her without consent and sent those to me, and when I reacted negatively, he laughed them off calling me one of those 'woke, feminist types.'"
Aurora adds that microaggressions are not always necessarily perpetrated by male students. Oftentimes, female students make negative comments about other women's attires, behaviour which is borne out of internalised misogyny or other prejudices. Sometimes, they're the perpetrators of sexual harassment as well.
"An acquaintance commented about my social media photos because of my clothes, telling me that I should start profiting off of showing my body if I was going to post photos like this. While I do not owe anyone an explanation as to what I was wearing, my clothes in those photos were by no means as provocative as she was painting them out to be. She had also physically assaulted me at a later time, pushing me up against a wall when nobody else was around, claiming it was a joke when someone walked in."
Aurora mentions that while she hadn't been vocal about these incidents for a long time, the few instances where she reached out to share the stories were not taken seriously, and the perpetrator was not held accountable. Sadly, this is far from a one-off incident. Rather, it is the most common scenario in educational institutions.
Reimagining campuses as safe spaces
Looking at 20 GBV cases on public university campuses from May 2023 to October 2024, reveals systemic issues. Incidents range from sexual harassment and assault to discriminatory policies, affecting primarily women and gender-diverse individuals. While some perpetrators faced punishment, institutional responses were inconsistent, and often influenced by power dynamics. Survivors frequently avoided reporting due to stigma and distrust in institutional mechanisms.
Progga D'Rozario, a final-year student at DU, reflected on an incident involving a fellow student and the hurdles she faced. "Learning about the hassle the victim had to endure just to file a complaint and then worrying about a potential media trial was deeply unsettling," she said. "I think many students, even when they want to come forward, are held back by the bureaucratic maze they must navigate to prove they are victims. That, I feel, is something that urgently needs to change."
That's why addressing gender-based violence effectively requires more than just streamlined reporting systems; it also requires a complete overhaul of how institutions support victims and prioritise their safety.
To address gender-based violence effectively, universities must commit to cultural and systemic change. This begins with ensuring anti-harassment committees are not only in place but actively engaged in addressing complaints. Their composition must reflect gender diversity, and their procedures should be transparent and survivor centric. Regular workshops for students and faculty can build awareness about what constitutes harassment and the rights of survivors to seek justice.
Inclusivity is another critical pillar. For gender-diverse students, policies must go beyond mere recognition to actively create safe and welcoming environments.
University administrations must also prioritise mental health resources, appointing counsellors in every faculty. These professionals can provide survivors with support while working to cultivate an environment of openness and trust. Additionally, a national framework to monitor and evaluate universities' progress in implementing anti-harassment measures could help hold institutions accountable.
A call to action
Ending gender-based violence on campus requires more than isolated acts of reform. It demands a collective commitment to creating institutions where every individual – regardless of gender – feels safe to learn and thrive. Students, faculty members, and policymakers must rally together to dismantle the structures that perpetuate abuse and rebuild campuses as havens of equality and respect.
The next time we hear of an incident, let us not wait for another protest, another tragic loss, or another report detailing the failure of our systems. Let us act. Because the cost of inaction – of lost futures, broken spirits, and shattered trust – is one our society can no longer afford to bear.
*Names have been changed upon request
Reference:
Prothom Alo (September 21, 2022) যৌন নিপীড়নের শিকার ৯০% ছাত্রী অভিযোগ করেন না |
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