Federal Urdu University's Chancellor convicted of harassment for sexist remarks

Pakistan's Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) has declared remarks made by the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Urdu University, Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari, as discriminatory, stating that comments suggesting “women above the age of 35 face hormonal issues” constitute gender bias.

The judgment, delivered by Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar, found the Vice Chancellor of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST), Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari, guilty of workplace harassment for repeatedly making gender-stereotypical and disparaging remarks about women faculty members.

The petitioner, a lecturer at FUUAST, had initially complained, the Vice Chancellor and head of the department of computer sciences, accusing them of harassment, stating that the Vice Chancellor would make inappropriate comments about her hormones.

Whereas the second accused would constantly offer to pick and drop her home. The complaint against the second accused was dismissed due to insufficient evidence. However, the Ombudsperson took notice of the Vice Chancellor’s comments regarding the petitioner’s age and alleged “hormonal issues.”

One of the statements under scrutiny was the Vice Chancellor’s remark that “when females reach the age of around 35 or above, they experience hormonal issues, and their mental condition becomes unstable, causing them to create problems for others.”

FOSPAH ruled that such comments were “inherently sexist, derogatory, and demeaning, amounting to gender stereotyping and constituting behaviour that can create a hostile work environment.”

The order further stated that, “Remarks such as those attributing women’s workplace behaviour to ‘hormonal changes’ constitute gender stereotyping, which undermines women’s dignity and reinforces discriminatory attitudes.”

“The conduct of the Vice Chancellor, consisting of repeated remarks linking women’s professional performance to hormonal changes, constitutes gender-based stereotyping and reflects sexually demeaning behaviour within the meaning of Section 2(h)(i), and also amounts to gender discrimination as defined under Section 2(h)(ii) of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010.”

A penalty of censure was imposed on the Vice Chancellor under Section 4(4)(i)(a) of the Act, with directions to the University Syndicate to monitor his conduct and ensure that “such incidents are not repeated in future.” A minor penalty of Censure under Section 4(4)(i)(a) of the Act, 2010, is hereby imposed upon him. The competent authority is directed to submit a compliance report within one week of the issuance of this order.

The Ombudsperson directed the university to take concrete steps to reform its institutional culture, including establishing a Standing Inquiry Committee, displaying the statutory Code of Conduct across campuses, and conducting regular awareness and sensitisation workshops for staff and students.

Highlighting the moral and institutional responsibility of leadership, the Ombudsperson noted that “university heads bear an institutional duty to demonstrate exemplary gender sensitivity, as their words and actions shape the culture of the academic community.”

The order emphasised that “ignorance of gender stereotypes cannot absolve duty bearers of responsibility,” making clear that a lack of awareness is no excuse for perpetuating discriminatory behaviour.