Govt clears sexual harassment prevention draft among six ordinances

The Council of Advisers on Thursday, January 29, approved six draft ordinances, three proposals, and one policy, including the draft Prevention of Sexual Harassment at the Workplace and Educational Institutions Ordinance 2026.

The Council also decided to open a new diplomatic mission in Georgetown, Guyana, a Caribbean nation.

The mission will operate at the level of Chargé d’Affaires or First Secretary, with personnel deployed from existing foreign missions.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters at the Foreign Service Academy on the outcomes of the meeting, which was chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his office.

Alam said the Council discussed and approved 11 key agenda items. Among the approved draft ordinances are the Domestic Violence Prevention Ordinance 2026, the National Sports Council (Amendment) Ordinance 2026, the Bangladesh Animal and Animal Products Quarantine Ordinance 2026, the Narayanganj Development Authority Ordinance 2026, and the Cumilla Development Authority Ordinance 2026.

The meeting also approved a proposal to declare March 23 as Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC) Day, to be observed annually. Another proposal approved at the meeting was the withdrawal of Bangladesh’s declaration submitted under Article 14(1) of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT).

In addition, the Council approved a proposal for Bangladesh to become a party to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, 1980. It also approved the draft Import Policy Order 2025–2028.

Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, Senior Assistant Press Secretary Foyez Ahammad and Assistant Press Secretary Shuchismita Tithi were present at the briefing.

Source: UNB