DHAKA: Some 81.8 per cent women MPs across the world are the victim of harassment and oppression anyway. Of them, 44.4 per cent face sexual harassment. Many of the women MPs even receive threat of death and kidnap.

The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) revealed the research study on the women MPs at its 136th assembly which is taking place in Dhaka.

Kareen Zabri, a program director of the IPU, disclosed the information before the media at a press briefing after the 25th session of the Forum of Women Parliamentarians held at the Bangabandu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Dhaka on Saturday (April 01).

Former foreign affairs minister of Bangladesh Dr Dipu Moni presided over the session.

According to the study, 21.8 per cent of survey participants have experienced sexual harassment, while 25.5 per cent MPs have faced harassment physically.

IPU’s study is based on in-depth interviews with 55 women MPs from 39 countries of the world. It shows troubling level of psychological, sexual and physical violence.

BDST: 2120 HRS, APR 01, 2017
EHJ