The National Textbook and Curriculum Board got it wrong — again. A class 8 home science textbook is telling girls to “dress decently,” to avoid sexual harassment, along with advice such as never going out with anyone, or ever staying home alone. It is highly disappointing to see our textbooks fall back on this retrograde and sexist way of thinking — shifting the blame of sexual harassment and abuse on to girls and women. More competent and enlightened writers — writers who can send a message of gender equality — should be hired for these jobs. It needs to be made clear to both boys and girls that sexual abuse is never, ever the victim’s fault.

Source: Dhaka Tribune October 12, 2017 08:15 UTC