Joint steps agreed for implementation of anti-harassment laws
Over the years, India has developed a reputation of being an unsafe country for women. PHOTO: FILE
The Women Parliamentarians Forum, Women Ombudsman Secretariat and FDI Pakistan have agreed to take joint steps for effective implementation of anti-harassment laws and the prevailing code of conduct at the workplaces in Balochistan.
On Wednesday Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Forum Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi and head of the Forum for Dignity Initiatives Pakistan, Azmi Yaqub, met Sabra Islam, the Provincial Ombudsperson for Women, to discuss implementation of anti-harassment laws in Balochistan, and protection of women in the workplace.
They discussed steps to provide legal aid to affected women, including providing a conducive environment, and offered suggestions for improvement.
On the occasion, Provincial Female Ombudsperson Sabira Islam said that in order to create a conducive and safe environment in all government and private offices of Balochistan and places where women work, the code of conduct of the Provincial Women Ombudsman Secretariat has been posted in a clear place.
She directed that committees be set up for implementation while orders have been issued to the heads of universities to take necessary steps in this regard which are being reviewed on a regular basis.
She said that in the context of tribal traditions of Balochistan, affected women face tough social attitudes and difficulties in litigation under anti-harassment laws.
However, we do our best to provide all possible legal assistance to the affected women keeping in view their privacy.
The Women Parliamentarians Forum appreciated the offer of cooperation from Balochistan and FDI and expressed the hope that the multi-pronged measures would yield effective results of implementation of anti-harassment laws and code of conduct.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 2nd, 2021.