STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Fifteen percent of Bangladeshi journalists said they had experienced sexual harassment at work, with women reporting significantly higher rates of verbal, online and physical harassment than men, according to a survey of 339 journalists.

Among the 339 respondents, seven women and two men reported that they had experienced rape.

Among women respondents, 51 percent reported verbal harassment, compared with 8 percent of men.

Online harassment was reported by 43 percent of women and 14 percent of men, while 21 percent of women and 4 percent of men reported physical harassment.

The findings were shared yesterday at the launch of the Sexual Harassment Response Protocol for Media Professionals, unveiled by BBC Media Action Bangladesh in partnership with the Women Journalists’ Network Bangladesh at a hotel in Dhaka.

The survey, conducted in 2025 by the World Association of News Publishers in partnership with BBC Media Action, included 100 women and 190 men. Four respondents did not disclose their gender, while 45 preferred not to reveal their identity.

Arafat Siddique, senior media development officer at BBC Media Action, presented the findings, alongside the protocol.

The survey also highlighted weak institutional responses, particularly in cases of verbal harassment.

Arafat said institutional response was often weak. No action was taken in 43 percent cases of complaints by women and 60 percent of men regarding verbal harassment. Where action was taken, it was mostly limited to warnings.

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