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It strictly prohibits any form of retaliatory action for filing a complaint and includes provisions to address such behaviour, said the press release.

At the same time, the ordinance incorporates specific safeguards to ensure fairness in cases of false complaints, so that genuine victims are not discouraged from coming forward.

If forming an ICC is not feasible, the ordinance provides for the establishment of local complaint committees through deputy commissioners and upazila nirbahi officers, ensuring that citizens still have an effective channel to lodge complaints.

To ensure effective implementation, monitoring committees will be established at both district and upazila levels. In addition, a special fund will be created to support victims with financial assistance, rehabilitation, counselling, legal aid and awareness‑building initiatives.

The draft ordinance has four chapters and 20 sections, said Suchismita Tithi, assistant press secretary, at a press briefing yesterday.

“One important aspect is that the draft includes physical, verbal, mental, suggestive and digital-space behaviour as sexual harassment.”

A women-led committee will be able to receive complaints verbally, in writing or online and the investigation must be completed within 90 days of receiving the complaint.

The ordinance considers providing security and mental support to the complainant and includes special provisions separately for children and persons with disabilities, she added.

Also at yesterday’s advisory council meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the draft Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance, 2026 and nine other ordinances, proposals and policies were approved.

The draft Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance 2026, which will replace the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010, aims to protect women and children, prevent domestic abuse, ensure speedy trials and establish survivor-centric remedies.

It introduces a more comprehensive and timely legal framework, broadens the definition of domestic violence to include physical and psychological abuse, sexual conduct or abuse and economic abuse within its scope.

The ordinance seeks to uphold families as safe and secure spaces while ensuring swift protection for women and children who faced such abuse, their safe shelter, medical care, legal aid and rehabilitation, according to the press release from the CA’s Press Wing.