Harassed women ‘must raise their voice’ at workplace

Federal Ombudsperson says regional complaint centres to be formed soon

ISLAMABAD: Harassment of women at workplaces is a very sensitive and critical issue and women should not spare any effort in raising their voice for their rights.

This was stated by the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplaces (FOSPAH) Kashmala Tariq at a event to mark National Women’s Day (the day marks the struggle of women against a series of ‘anti-women’ laws passed by the former dictator, the late General Ziaul Haq  at the Lok Virsa on Tuesday.

Tariq highlighted the role women have played in the modern Pakistani society, adding that they make up 50 per cent of the population and 12 per cent of the workforce. She added that Pakistani women have fought in wars alongside men and emphasised that women should be equipped with knowledge and education as future generations rely on them.

Lamenting that a vast majority of harassment at workplace incidents are never reported by women to keep the ‘honour’ of their families intact, she said that the government will soon establish complaint centres at the regional level where working men, women as well as people who are transgender can report any complaints regarding harassment

“A nuisance-free working environment for women is our mission,” she said, adding that female entrepreneurs must be empowered for a prosperous and stable future.

Tariq added that there was a need for concerted efforts from all sections of society to eliminate workplace harassment once and for all.

The federal ombudsperson said for their part, they were reaching out to academic institutions so that schools, colleges and universities may introduce subjects such as women empowerment in their curricular activities.

"Our vision is to proactively stamp out all forms of discrimination and provide them suitable environment at the workplace,” she said.

She advised women, who are being harassed at their respective workplaces, to share details of what happened to them with their colleagues and to make it public.

“Women must help other women by building their confidence. They should bring positivity in them and get rid of negativity as part of their general training and teach men how to respect women,” Tariq said, adding that there was a need to train men as well."

She added women should be aware of their rights, and should not tolerate the injustices meted out to them.

The ombudsperson said that under FOSPAH, they train volunteers and train the trainers. She added that all the institutions should have harassment committee, if not, then these organisations must be reported to the FOSPAH.

Lok Virsa Executive Director Shahira Shahid said that the women have brought prestige to the country alongside men in every field.

Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA) Chairperson Kaukab Jahan Yasmeen recalled that women have made numerous sacrifices for their rights. She also paid tribute to the services of renowned human rights activist Asma Jehangir who passed away last year. 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2019.