The High Court (HC) yesterday issued a rule upon the government to explain within one week why it (government) should not be directed to make a unified policy against sexual harassment of women and children at different places.

Upon a writ petition filed by Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association (BNWLA), the HC bench of Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain and Justice Farid Ahmed issued the rule.

The court also asked the attorney general to make submission on behalf of the state during the hearing of the rule.

BNWLA filed a writ petition as public interest litigation (PIL) seeking direction of the HC on incidents of sexual harassment of the women, children and girl students at their workplaces, universities and educational institutes.

Secretaries of the cabinet division, law ministry, women and children affairs ministry', labour and manpower ministry, education ministry, and University Grants Commission, Dhaka University and Jahangimagar University authorities have been made respondents.

BNWLA leaders Advocate Fawzia Karim Firoz, Advocate Salma Ali and Advocate Fahima Nasreen moved the petition.