Culture & Entertainment · Bangladesh Bureau
UGC and UN Women join forces against campus sexual violence
Bangladesh's University Grants Commission has partnered with UN Women to tackle sexual and gender-based violence in higher education institutions across the country. The collaboration aims to create safer learning environments and strengthen institutional responses to abuse.
LSN Bangladesh ·
The University Grants Commission (UGC) and UN Women have formalized a partnership to address sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) within Bangladesh's university system. The initiative seeks to develop comprehensive strategies for prevention, response, and support mechanisms across tertiary education institutions nationwide.
The partnership will focus on establishing institutional frameworks and policies to combat harassment, discrimination, and violence on campuses. Through this collaboration, universities will receive technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen their internal complaint mechanisms and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
UN Women will provide expertise in developing gender-sensitive protocols and training programs for university staff, faculty, and students. The initiative also aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of SGBV in educational settings and promote a culture of respect and consent among the campus community.
The UGC has prioritized ensuring that all affiliated universities implement standardized procedures for handling complaints related to sexual misconduct. Officials emphasized that safe educational environments are essential for enabling all students, particularly women and marginalized groups, to participate fully in academic life.
This partnership represents a significant step toward creating institutional accountability and protecting vulnerable students from harassment and violence within Bangladesh's higher education sector.