ROUGH ROADS TO EQUALITY

A full 100% of women from the mid-level category were aware of the BPWN hotline. BPWN had organised a
workshop before our event in Chittagong, 80 so in that sense the findings here may not be representative. Still,
it is encouraging that the same was reported among mid-level personnel in the other districts.
Among Constables too, awareness is high. Only 8.5% were not aware of the hotline. However, in Chittagong,
approximately one-fifth of Constables said they were unaware of it. Because BPWN conducted a workshop
in Chittagong before our event, it is surprising that there was such low awareness. It could be that some
participants responded on the basis of their knowledge before the sessions conducted that day. Even so, for
so few to be aware of resources in a range where there was high reporting of sexual harassment is concerning.
Next, we asked Constables if they were members of BPWN. Although all female police personnel are
automatically enrolled as members on joining the police, they must be aware of such a network and the fact
that they are members. The onus to promote and spread this awareness is on the leadership of the BPWN,
to ensure that all women police know about the BPWN and what they are entitled to as members. For that
reason, we sought to find out the level of awareness among women police.
80 This workshop was only conducted in Chittagong; thus, there was no similar effect on the other two sessions in Dhaka and Sylhet.
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