Awareness on anti-harassment law urged

QUETTA: Secretary Women Development Saira Atta Baloch has emphasised the need to spread awareness about the ‘anti-harassment act’ of 2016, as implemented by the provincial government to prevent harassment of females at workplaces and in educational institutes.

She was addressing an awareness program while urging women and young girls to lodge their complaints at the ombudsman office without any hesitation, assuring of government’s full support.

Provincial ombudsman Sabira Islam, Director General Balochistan Judicial Academy Justice (retd) Syed Anwar Aftab and Executive Director Maleeha Hussain were also present on the occasion.

Sabira Islam urged women to reach out to her office if they face any kind of harassment at workplaces or educational institutes.

“Many females in our society lose their confidence after being harassed which is depriving the province from women contribution in the development process,” said Islam adding that the act has been made fully functional in the province to protect women.

Balochistan government has commenced implementation on the provincial act 2016 regarding harassment after outrage sparked in the province following the University of Balochistan video scandal.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2019.