United News of Bangladesh

Despite making up nearly half of the voters female students at Jahangirnagar University (JU) are showing little interest in contesting the upcoming Jucsu election as many are citing cyber bullying and social harassment as the main deterrents. Due to female students’ reluctance to participate in Jahangirnagar University Central Students' Union (Jucsu) election there has been a shortage of candidates in both the central student council and hall council elections. In most of the female halls, no candidates were found for several posts highlighting a clear lack of competition. Talking to UNB, several female students said they fear online propaganda, distorted images, personal attacks and a lack of equal opportunities in a male-dominated political culture. As active political organisations are dominating the scene it has become more of a political platform than a representative forum and so general students are less interested, they said. Some of them said Jucsu election is being held after 33 years and many are still unclear about its procedures. Assistant General Secretary (AGS) candidate from “Shikkharthi Oikya Forum” panel, Malihah Namla said, “The main reason behind women’s reluctance is cyber bullying. Lack of equal opportunities also plays a major role. Families discourage their daughter fearing personal attacks and propaganda.” Read: 328 forms collected for JUCSU election after two days; deadline extended till Aug 21st She said raising social awareness, holding seminars and campaigns, and ensuring exemplary punishment for cyber bullies will encourage greater female participation. AGS candidate Ayesha Siddika Meghla from the “Somonnito Shikkharthi Jote” panel said, “When a woman tries to take the lead she is bullied, tagged, and bashed. She is labelled differently depending on her ideology. Families, too, hesitate thinking their daughters will face humiliation. As a result, many women cannot step forward despite their competence and willingness.” According to election commission data, a total of 813 nomination papers were distributed for central and hall-level posts but only 740 were submitted. Of them, 273 were filed for central positions and 467 for hall-level posts. In the male dormitories, nearly all posts have multiple candidates but in female halls show significant gaps. Jahangara Imam Hall received 16 nominations, Pritilata Hall 13, Begum Khaleda Zia Hall 11, and Sufia Kamal Hall 10, Nawab Faizunnesa Hall and No 12 female dormitory saw only six submissions each, the lowest among all halls. Read more: JUCSU elections: Non-students ordered to leave halls by August 16 The shortage of female candidates has sparked mixed reactions on campus. Students and teachers believe structural barriers, lack of family support, and inadequate understanding of the election process have contributed to women’s reluctance. Chief Election Commissioner of Jucsu Dr Md Moniruzzaman said the commission has not yet received any formal complaint of cyber bullying or harassment. “If we get such complaints we will investigate and take action. After 33 years we are arranging the Jucsu polls and all students should have the opportunity to participate. No one should be pushed away by harassment,” he added.

Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) authorities on Tuesday suspended headmaster of Kapasgola City Corporation Girls High School Md Alauddin following protest against him for ‘sexually harassing’ female students. An office order of the City Corporation signed by its secretary Khaled Mahmud, said Alauddin has been suspended as allegations brought against him have been proved primarily. Read more: Headmaster withdrawn over sexually assaulting female students Earlier on Sunday, the accused headmaster was transferred to South Patenga City Corporation High School in the city. Two probe bodies have also been formed to look into the matter, read the order. On Sunday (January 1), the accused head teacher was confined to a room by agitated students. The  students staged protests demanding his removal. Read more: Number of complaints over sexual harassment at workplaces very poor: Speakers Parents of the students also participated in the protest. Many were also seen holding placards with various demands.

At Mustaqbal Pohanton University on the eastern edge of Kabul, the new academic year has just begun. Universities in Afghanistan have been closed since August last year. "Learning and education are the tools for the country's development," said student Shagofa Mohammadi. "I am very happy that the universities have reopened." Mohammadi studies Sharia Law. Sitting among more than two dozen female students, she said that it was natural for everyone to want an education. READ: Twin earthquakes in western Afghanistan kill at least 22 Mohammadi is concerned by a shortage of female lecturers, and some of the classes are taught by male teachers. "According to Islamic Law boys and girls should be educated separately." Established in 2014, Mustaqbal Pohanton University has a history of encouraging women to get an education, in spite of prevailing challenges and economic problems. Vice chancellor of the university Najibullah Nasrat is also concerned about teacher shortages. Following the end of the U.S.-led occupations, many academics fled the country to escape any Taliban retribution. Nasrat said both male and female lecturers left the country in numbers last year. "We have about 800 students, including 300 women, studying here. We have 45 teachers and only 14 of them are women," Nasrat told Xinhua. The vice chancellor is more worried about economic problems. Many students are unable to pay their tuition. Lecturer Shamsudin Ahmadzai is hopeful of a solution, but is critical of Western attitudes to women's education in Afghanistan. He called on the international community to "come in and help us" instead.