The recent case of harassment against four teachers at a prestigious private school in Lahore has caused public outrage and has highlighted how our children remain vulnerable and unsafe even at a well-reputed institute. Earlier, similar cases of harassment, misconduct, and sexism have been reported against the professors and staff at universities who continue to exploit their position and take advantage of the female students. The negligence on part of the administration and delay in acting against the perpetrators remains the real issue. Almost two years ago, a young student enrolled at a university in Nawabshah reported being harassed by a lecturer for months. Instead of taking formal action with regard to the student’s accusation the University’s vice-chancellor pressurised her to withdraw her complaint.
Though in this case, the school administration has fired the four teachers as the students collectively raised their voice on social media, what remains problematic is how such a severe issue went unaddressed and unresolved by the school administration for years. One of the accused teachers was teaching a course on debate and politics, which is the real irony. Victims are often fearful to raise their voice because of the prestigious and powerful position of their offenders.
While the All Pakistan Private School Association have taken notice of the harassment allegations and claim to support victims through their helpline, strict reporting mechanisms within every educational institute which protects the victims and provides them with immediate support need to be introduced for tackling the cases of harassment. It is time to completely get rid of the culture of shaming and blaming the victims so that they are able to freely speak up against their harasser. Accessible and simplified procedure of filing a complaint in the police station is the need of the hour so that victims can easily seek help through legal mechanisms.
Nayab Iqbal
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 2, 2020.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
