Creating a safe work environment for women fosters equality, productivity, and well-being. In countries like Bangladesh, where cultural and social norms often shape workplace dynamics, it is crucial to implement specific measures that ensure women feel secure and respected at their respective workplaces. Ways to Ensure Women’s Safety in the Workplace Implementing Strict Anti-Harassment Policies Implementing a comprehensive Sexual Harassment Policy is crucial for any organisation, regardless of size. This policy should clearly define what constitutes sexual harassment, including both physical and verbal forms, and provide examples to ensure understanding. A zero-tolerance approach must be emphasised, making it clear that any form of harassment will not be tolerated under any circumstances.  The policy should also educate employees about inappropriate conduct and outline the reporting procedures. Importantly, the Sexual Harassment Policy must specify the consequences for offenders, ensuring that there is no ambiguity about the seriousness of the organisation’s view of preserving the female workers’ safety.  Read more: Which Vitamins are Essential for Women? Providing Gender Sensitivity Training Providing gender sensitivity training is an essential step on the path of ensuring women's safety in the workplace. These training programs should be mandatory for all employees and cover topics like respectful communication, unconscious bias, and the importance of gender equality. In a country like Bangladesh, where traditional gender roles are deeply ingrained, such trainings are particularly impactful in building awareness about ensuring women’s safety at workplaces.  Unconscious biases, though common, can be mitigated through education and training. The senior management and HR teams of organisations should be educated about different types of biases. Training can enable management and employees to recognize and challenge these biases, fostering a safer and more inclusive workplace.  Establishing a Safe Reporting Mechanism Establishing a safe reporting mechanism is vital for ensuring women's safety in the workplace. Women need to feel confident that they can report harassment or unsafe conditions without fear of retaliation. Implementing anonymous reporting options, such as a hotline, an online system, or a dedicated HR representative, can encourage more women to come forward.  Read more: Proven Passive Income Ideas for Women in 2024 All reports must be taken seriously, with prompt and appropriate action taken to address any issues. By creating an environment where women feel safe and supported in reporting concerns, organizations can maintain trust and uphold a culture of respect and safety.  Creating a Supportive Workplace Culture Creating a supportive workplace culture is essential for ensuring the safety of female employees. Employers should foster an environment of open communication, where employees feel safe to express their concerns without fear of judgement, mocking, or retaliation. Encouraging mutual respect and support among colleagues can significantly reduce the risk of harassment and discrimination.  This inclusive culture not only helps prevent issues but also promotes a sense of belonging and security for all employees. By prioritising respect and collaboration, organisations can build a workplace where everyone, especially women, feels valued, protected, and empowered to thrive.  Read more: How to raise happy, confident, strong girls Regularly Conducting Safety Audits This is crucial for ensuring women's safety in the workplace. These audits should thoroughly assess all aspects of safety, including physical infrastructure, security measures, employee behaviour, etc. By identifying potential risks early, organisations can take immediate action to address them, preventing accidents or incidents before they occur.  Regular audits also help maintain a high standard of safety, ensuring that the workplace remains a secure environment for everyone. Prioritising these evaluations reinforces the organisation’s commitment to protecting its employees, and creating a safer and more trustworthy workplace for women.  Implementing Safe Transport Facilities Implementing safe transport facilities is vital for ensuring the safety of female employees, particularly in Bangladesh, where public transport can often be unsafe. Companies can enhance security by offering shuttle services, especially for women working late shifts. Alternatively, they can collaborate with reliable transport providers to guarantee safe and secure commutes for their employees.  Read more: Top 10 International Scholarships for Women to Study Abroad By taking these measures, organisations not only protect their employees but also demonstrate their commitment to creating a supportive and secure work environment. It allows women to focus on their work without worrying about their safety during their commute.  Developing an Internal Complaints Committee  Developing an internal complaints committee in an organisation is crucial for addressing workplace harassment and ensuring women’s safety. In Bangladesh, many organisations still lack proper mechanisms, leaving women hesitant to report abuse. However, such committees must include trained individuals, including women participants.  The committee should be responsible for investigating complaints within 90 days and issuing a report within 10 days. Developing an effective internal complaints committee is essential for creating a safe environment where female employees feel confident to report verbal and sexual harassment, knowing their concerns will be handled with sensitivity and fairness.  Read more: 8 Safe Motorcycle Riding Tips for Women Collaboration with External Organizations Partnering with NGOs, government bodies, or external organisations is a valuable strategy for enhancing women’s safety in the workplace. These collaborations can bring in specialised resources, such as training programs, legal advice, counselling, and support services, which might not be available internally.  Additionally, such partnerships help organisations stay updated with the latest safety practices and legal requirements, ensuring compliance and best practices. By leveraging the expertise of these external entities, companies can create a more comprehensive and effective approach to protecting their female employees. Encouraging Mental Health Support Mental well-being is a critical component of workplace safety, especially for women. Companies should offer counselling services and foster a supportive environment where women can seek help for psychological distress caused by stress, harassment, or exclusion. The mental health challenges stemming from gender-based violence, lack of inclusion, and demanding work conditions can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, and even substance use disorders.  Read more: Is Gym Good for Women? Research indicates that women who feel excluded are at higher risk of workplace incidents due to increased stress. Promoting mental health awareness and support are essential to ensuring women's safety and job satisfaction, reducing turnover, and creating a healthier workplace culture. Equal Opportunities  Promoting gender equality in hiring, promotions, and leadership roles is essential for ensuring women’s safety and empowerment in the workplace. Companies should commit to equal pay for equal work and regularly review compensation packages to eliminate gender disparities. Providing equal opportunities for advancement, training, and professional development helps empower women and fosters a more inclusive work environment.  Additionally, adopting hiring practices that prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ensures a diverse workforce and a culture of fairness. By championing gender equality at all levels, organisations create a safer, more supportive environment where women can thrive.  Read more: Best Free Personal Safety Android, iOS Apps for Women in 2024 Healthcare Facilities  To ensure women's safety and well-being in the workplace, it is essential to provide accessible healthcare services and maintain clean, private restrooms. For menstruating women, facilities must be sanitised, well-stocked, and functional to support health and dignity.  Additionally, flexible working hours and adequate maternity leave are crucial. Providing dedicated spaces for nursing reflects a commitment to valuing and retaining talented employees. These measures go beyond mere compliance, fostering a supportive environment that enhances morale and demonstrates respect for women’s needs in the workplace. Takeaways Ensuring women’s safety in the workplace is not just about adhering to legal requirements; it is about creating an environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and secure. In Bangladesh, where cultural dynamics often influence workplace behaviour, these measures are especially critical. By implementing these strategies, organisations can make significant strides toward fostering a safer and more inclusive workplace for women. Read more: Workplace stress affecting women in Bangladesh needs attention

Young Bangla, the country’s biggest platform for the youth, has unveiled the website of Women’s Safety in Public Places (WSPP), a campaign aimed at curbing the rise in crimes against women. State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak formally launched the website during a virtual discussion on women’s safety in public places on Thursday evening. The event was organised by Young Bangla, the youth platform of the Centre for Research & Information. Read:Young Bangla to share findings on women safety issues today Recalling Bangabandhu’s generosity towards women who were violated by the Pakistani Occupation Forces during the 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh, he said, “Our mothers and sisters made the highest level of sacrifice during the Liberation War." "When these women gave birth to children, neither they nor their kids knew who their fathers were. But, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman then said -- 'put Bangabandhu's name as the father of these war children. And put their home address as Dhanmondi 32'," the Minister said. "Had Bangabandhu been alive for 10 more years, he could turn this Bangla into Golden Bengal 40 years down the line from today. Then, 50 years into the independence, we wouldn’t have to conduct a webinar to ensure the safety and dignity of women at public places," he added. To ensure women’s safety in public transport, Zunaid asked all bus owners should keep a copy of all digitally registered documents, such as the National ID Card, of drivers and helpers before appointing them so that they could be tracked in case of any untoward incident. “If one crore people can register through the Surokkha website for vaccination, why can’t we ensure that there are digital records of the identities and driving licences of all bus drivers and helpers,” he said. "When there is information about these vehicles, it will be ensured that at least any crime occurring in any of these 15 to 20 lakh vehicles will not go unreported." The Minister said the government is also planning to launch a device that could be worn as a bracelet by women. "If a women finds herself in a threatening situation, and if that bracelet is shaken or pressed, an alert will be digitally conveyed to the nearby police station. CRI, Young Bangla, UNDP, and ICT can jointly get this done,” he added. Read: DNCC teams up with Young Bangla to make masses embrace masks Zunaid said they wanted to make an app named Joy with advanced technology so that in an untoward situation, "the scene is recorded through audio or video in an automated way and the crime scene can be digitally tracked". He also revealed that some customised games are being made for different age groups of children so that they can learn while playing, how to be respectful towards people, particularly women. Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, underscored the need for engaging youths to make the campaign successful. “I sincerely congratulate all youth organisations and also the youth leaders who have been actively engaged with this campaign and volunteering valuable time to bring positive changes in the society." She also called other stakeholders to extend necessary support and take actions to make public places safer for all women and girls. Habibur Rahaman, Associate Coordinator of Young Bangla, shared a summary of the findings from a situation analysis conducted by youth organisations at 10 different places. A total of 10 youth organisations conducted Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Stakeholder Analysis, and Case Study Analysis in 10 districts. Respondents claimed they often face harassment at public places. Anup Kumar from Aporajita, Khulna, and Sabitree Hembram youth representatives from UNDP shared individual experiences while engaging stakeholders in districts. Read:Young Bangla gathers young artists to share their pandemic experiences "We have been able to bring a perpetrator to book in our locality with the support of law enforcement agency. Previously, powerful people used to evade justice easily while abusing girls from ethnic communities. The situation has changed for the better," said Sabitree. However, she called for combined efforts to reinforce the campaign and demanded policy changes to ensure safety in public places for all women. Amena Begam BPM, Deputy Inspector General (Protection) of Special Branch, Bangladesh Police, and President of Bangladesh Police Women Network (BPWN), highlighted the roles undertaken by Bangladesh Police, especially BPWN, in preventing harassment against women during Covid.

Young Bangla, a youth platform in Bangladesh, will share the findings of a situation analysis on women’s safety in public places at a webinar to be held on Thursday evening.  The website of the Women's Safety in Public Places (WSPP) will also be launched today.  Read: DNCC teams up with Young Bangla to make masses embrace masks Recently, Young Bangla youths have conducted the situation analysis through consulting different stakeholders in 10 districts. Unveiling the campaign website will help connect a wider audience through virtual medium. The organizers will share the real scenario of women’s safety such as; practicing norms, people’s perspectives, role of different stakeholders and most importantly the role of youth to eliminate malpractices and to sensitize the broader community. Read:Young Bangla gathers young artists to share their pandemic experiences Ten youth organizations have conducted Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Stakeholder Analysis, and Case Study Analysis in 10 districts. This analysis enabled them to reflect on the situation of harassment against women in their respective communities throughout April of 2021 amid the pandemic with following health protocols.  Read: Coronavirus: CRI’s Young Bangla raises awareness among volunteers Habibur Rahaman from CRI is going to share the summary of the findings. State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak will grace the virtual event as chief guest.

Speakers at a webinar have laid emphasis on changing the mentality in the society to keep women safe saying it is difficult to change the social situation only by laws and acts.

Centre for Research and Information (CRI)’s youth platform Young Bangla in collaboration with Human Rights Programme-UNDP, and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has set out on a campaign titled ‘Women’s Safety in Public Places (WSPP)’.