A Survey Study on Sexual Harassment Experienced by Female Students Traveling Between Chittagong City and the University of Chittagong on Public Transport

Md. Reduanul Haque1* and Jobaida Akter2 

1 Department of Law, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chattogram, Bangladesh. Email: mdreduan5271@gmail.com 

2 Department of Economics, University of Chittagong, Chattogram, Bangladesh

 *Corresponding Author

Abstract: Sexual harassment is a common phenomenon in our society that has reached a severe form on public transport, where data shows most passengers have experienced the incident to some degree. This study aims to determine the occurrence of sexual
harassment in public transportation and its effects on female students to uphold the dignity of human rights. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 120 female students at the University of Chittagong. Statistical analysis gives the result with significant values where half of the respondents reported experiencing sexual harassment on public transportation, and 38.33% say they have experienced it twice or thrice in the past six months. Moreover, 55% of respondents think 999 beneficial, while
33.33% of respondents disagree that women’s safety applications are helpful. However, 90% of respondents do not know any martial arts, and 73.33% do not carry anything for safety. It is highlighted that 51.67% considered lack of strong laws may be responsible
for sexual harassment and 33.33% filed cases when only severe. This paper ends with recommendations for addressing the issue, including a separate bus for women with female drivers and helpers, the strong enforcement of regulations, the effective involvement of university authorities, and adequate police presence. Appropriate implementation of the suggestions may lead the problem to a sustainable solution.

Keywords: Sexual harassment, public transport, Effective laws

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