Ombudsperson, UN Women sign accord to fight harassment
Agree to enhance mechanisms for responding to cases of harassment at workplace
UN Women Pakistan Deputy Country Representative Aisha Mukhtar and Balochistan Ombudsperson for Protection during a signing ceremony in Islamabad. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
UN Women Pakistan has entered into an agreement with Balochistan Office of Ombudsperson to work together in order to fight harassment of women at the workplace.
UN Women Pakistan Deputy Country Representative Aisha Mukhtar and Balochistan Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment Sabira Islam signed the MoU at the country office of the UN Women in the federal capital on Friday.
According to the MoU, mechanisms will be improved and strengthened for better data collection and reporting of harassment and to assess the trends through reported cases.
The signatories have agreed to enhance provincial mechanisms for responding to cases of harassment through development of training materials and training of trainers.
UN Women and Office of Ombudsperson will cooperate on capacity building of anti-harassment cells and inquiry committees to deal with cases of harassment as well as raising awareness on harassment laws and compliance requirements.
Sabira Islam expressed her gratitude to UN Women Pakistan and WDD Balochistan for supporting the efforts of the Office of Ombudsperson in protecting women and girls from harassment at the workplace.
“We are planning to work together to ensure that there is effective implementation of workplace harassment laws across the province in order to enable women reach their full potential, feel protected at workplaces and actively take part in economic activities,” she said.
Aisha Mukhtar welcomed the personal interest of Balochistan CM Jam Kamal in establishing anti-harassment cells at district level across the province.
She reiterated the UN Women’s commitment towards strengthening institutions and mechanisms for preventing and addressing sexual harassment at workplace.
“Harassment at the workplace holds women back from progressing as they embark on a journey of social and career development. They have a fundamental and legal right to work in a safe environment, which is free from harassment and discrimination,” she said.
WDD Director Noor Mubashir Sami expressed his department’s commitment to continue supporting the Ombudsperson’s Office to make sure that the women of Balochistan feel safe and protected.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2019.
UN Women Pakistan has entered into an agreement with Balochistan Office of Ombudsperson to work together in order to fight harassment of women at the workplace.
UN Women Pakistan Deputy Country Representative Aisha Mukhtar and Balochistan Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment Sabira Islam signed the MoU at the country office of the UN Women in the federal capital on Friday.
According to the MoU, mechanisms will be improved and strengthened for better data collection and reporting of harassment and to assess the trends through reported cases.
The signatories have agreed to enhance provincial mechanisms for responding to cases of harassment through development of training materials and training of trainers.
UN Women and Office of Ombudsperson will cooperate on capacity building of anti-harassment cells and inquiry committees to deal with cases of harassment as well as raising awareness on harassment laws and compliance requirements.
Sabira Islam expressed her gratitude to UN Women Pakistan and WDD Balochistan for supporting the efforts of the Office of Ombudsperson in protecting women and girls from harassment at the workplace.
“We are planning to work together to ensure that there is effective implementation of workplace harassment laws across the province in order to enable women reach their full potential, feel protected at workplaces and actively take part in economic activities,” she said.
Aisha Mukhtar welcomed the personal interest of Balochistan CM Jam Kamal in establishing anti-harassment cells at district level across the province.
She reiterated the UN Women’s commitment towards strengthening institutions and mechanisms for preventing and addressing sexual harassment at workplace.
“Harassment at the workplace holds women back from progressing as they embark on a journey of social and career development. They have a fundamental and legal right to work in a safe environment, which is free from harassment and discrimination,” she said.
WDD Director Noor Mubashir Sami expressed his department’s commitment to continue supporting the Ombudsperson’s Office to make sure that the women of Balochistan feel safe and protected.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2019.