Agreement to ensure women’s safe travel

UN Women, PIA, FOSPAH sign MoU against harassment

ISLAMABAD:

The United Nations agency UN Women Pakistan, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote the drive of safe mobility for women.

The pact, signed at the Islamabad Airport, includes strengthening the collaboration and a pledge to prevent the harassment of women at public places, read a statement.

Under the agreement, the PIA and the UN Women will create awareness and campaign for a safe travel environment for all women, whether aircrew or PIA’s guests, at airports and offices and during the flight.

UN Women 🇵🇰, @Official_PIA and the @fospah signed an MoU at Islamabad International Airport today, to promote safe mobility of women and staff, pledging to prevent the harassment of women in public places and workplaces.✈️#SayNoMore#HarrassmentFreeWorkplaces pic.twitter.com/OmlAkDSCOD

— UN Women Pakistan (@unwomen_pak) September 26, 2021

This implies full implementation of Pakistan Penal Code 509 & Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, even onboard.

“This makes PIA, the first airline in the world and the first corporate sector organisation in Pakistan to champion such an initiative under the UN banner, with a public pledge and a implementation plan to create safer travel and work environment for the women,” the statement read.

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“This marks a milestone achievement for the women’s rights in Pakistan as well.”

Recognising the importance of women’s and girls’ freedom of movement and right to harassment-free life, Sharmeela Rassool, the country representative for UN Women said, “We need to create safe spaces and give women access to safe mobility. When both halves of the population live with their potential, the economies and societies grow. Women are key drivers of economic growth. PIA has just set a trend for the whole world to follow”.

Speaking on the occasion, PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik said that the organisation pledged to create safer transport environment for the women, whether it was in the offices or during the transportation.

He said it was a big opportunity for all other corporate organisations to come forward and contribute in the national development.

FOSPAH Kashmala Tariq congratulated both UN Women and PIA on launching a “landmark initiative”.
She said that the federal ombudsperson secretariat was all geared up in working towards achievement of safer work and travel environment goal and would provide justice to all those who approach FOSPAH.