Speakers at consultation say cohesive policies needed for public, private sectors. DESIGN: MARYAM RASHID
FAISALABAD:
The government should establish a centre to address complaints against sexual harassment and direct public and private organisations to establish committees to deal with cases of sexual harassment at schools and offices.
The demands were made by participants of consultation titled Gender Sensitive Work Environment and Policies held on Friday.
The event was hosted by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) under its Gender Equity Program (GEP). Social activists, government officials of labour and social welfare departments and representatives of civil society participated in the consultation.
AWAM project director Naseem Anthony said there was no coordination among public and private institutions on sexual harassment.
He said a cohesive, women-friendly policy was needed. He said setting up committees to deal with cases of sexual harassment at workplaces would encourage women to speak up.
Shazia George, a women’s rights activist, said women at workplaces usually faced sexual harassment.
“Most of them hide it fearing it could be held against them,” she said.
“They do not know how and where to file complaints against the harasser.
There is a need to enhance awareness among women workers about legislation and strategies to deal with sexual harassment. It is important for employers to discourage unwanted behaviour to minimise abuse and violence at workplaces.”
Social Welfare Department Deputy District Officer Sofia Rizwan said the government was determined to prevent harassment at workplaces, though it would take time to eliminate it completely from workplaces, schools and public spaces.
“The government and civil society groups should work together and organize an awareness drive on this,” she said.
Aslam Wafa, a trade unionist, said women workers should unite to form associations and unions to resolve their problems.
“They can take up issues like minimum wages, maternity leaves and sexual harassment if they organise,” he said.
He said the government should provide legal and social protection to informal workers and establish a complaint centre to deal with the complaints of sexual harassment.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2015.
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