Sexual harassment on campus

A female professor from the University of Karachi (KU) has been facing a taxing dilemma for two months now. She was sexually harassed multiple times by a male colleague, teaching at the university’s Pakistan Studies department. She is yet to receive a verdict by the committee appointed by KU on the case. Since this case came to light, many students have also come forward with complaints against the same male instructor. Sexual harassment at our educational institutions throws light upon the plight of women in this staunchly patriarchal society. Women in Pakistan may have been entering educational institutions in increasing numbers in recent years, but this by no means implies that their journey in these institutions is trouble-free.

While there is legislation in place that protects females against sexual harassment at the workplace, it is imperfectly implemented often due to the reluctance of top managements at organisations to take the perpetrator to task. In addition, this legislation does not protect the rights of female students who may have been sexually harassed in educational institutions. Therefore, currently the onus to deal fairly with cases of sexual harassment of students falls on administrations of institutions. Institutions, the world over, operate with handbooks that clearly outline guidelines and legal implications for teachers and students who flout them. This seems to be missing at our institutions. Instead, the natural response in this particular case has apparently been to protect the perpetrator. Educational institutions in our country, in fact all workplaces, must have clear guidelines on how to deal with sexual harassment cases that encourage victims to come forward and feel safe when they report such cases. What is also needed is legislation to protect students who are sexually harassed and the implementation of all laws on sexual harassment. It goes without saying that it is the right of all students and teachers to be able to pursue their goals in a harassment-free environment. We need to make sure this happens.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2016.

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