A study of the laws relating to sexual harassment in Bangladesh : lessons from Malaysia

Abstract

Sexual harassment is a serious matter of legal concern in both Bangladesh and Malaysia. This thesis provides a comparative analysis between Bangladesh and Malaysia on their stance on sexual harassment and their legal measures to face this problem. Applying both doctrinal and empirical methodologies, it surveys various forms of sexual harassment in different places and among various age groups in Bangladesh. It aims to understand the prevalence and nature of sexual harassment in Bangladesh and Malaysia based on data collected by surveys on the female victims and interviews with police officers, lawyers and judges from both countries. This thesis analyses and compares the existing legal and policy frameworks in Bangladesh and Malaysia with a view to learn from the successes of the later. The study finds that cases and instances of sexual harassment are prevalent in Bangladesh compared to Malaysia. This it finds, is not unrelated with the legal and policy framework which is more purposeful and strictly enforced in Malaysia. It concludes that learning from the experiences and purposive measures taken in Malaysia to protect women from sexual harassment, Bangladesh should also follow suit by providing not only harsher punishments, but also purposive policy and social measures against sexual harassment of women.