Shamefully, the legislation to protect women against harassment at the workplace is only three years old, as we had ignored the problem — which itself has been occurring for much longer — for all that time previous. PHOTO: FILE.
Recently, there has been some attention drawn to a long-standing issue that many women face in the workplace and at other institutions. The issue highlights the fact that the mainstream working society in Pakistan is still not accustomed to working with female colleagues. However, the issue is not just that men are estranged from the concept of having women in the workplace; it is that they sometimes act as superiors thinking that it is acceptable to harass a woman, sexually, physically or even verbally. Shamefully, the legislation to protect women against harassment at the workplace is only three years old, as we had ignored the problem — which itself has been occurring for much longer — for all that time previous. Nonetheless, now that the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 by parliament is in place, those in the corridors of power, as well as employers and institutions, should work to make the law accessible to employees in the workplace.
One of the primary issues is that many women do not have an executive body to report such issues in the workplace. As per the Act, all institutions, government and private, are required to have a committee with, at least, three members and, at least, one woman to oversee harassment matters and report to provincial ombudsmen for ruling. As of now, the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa do not have provincial ombudsmen and institutions in all provinces lack governing committees. To tackle these dilemmas, there needs to be a countrywide awareness campaign. This should include posters explaining the Act hung in every workplace to inform women and men of their rights to seek harassment charges should they feel they have been wronged. This way, both offenders and potential victims — including bosses, employees and even visitors to the workplace — will be made aware of the repercussions. We also need to address issues at the higher level with legislators, rights activists, NGOs and all institutions working in unison to spread awareness and implement these laws when the need arises. Until people face consequences for their wrongful actions and are made examples out of, harassment issues against women in institutions will continue to occur at their current frequency.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 1st, 2013.
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COMMENTS (6)
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@angry citizen:
Is Negativity is the solution of negativity? Don't you have any positive solution to get rid of negative thing ?
@angry citizen ... that only ignites it, like scratching an itch does not help you get rid of it. What would you suggest for terrorists, robbers and target killers; where would they sink their frustration? The issue is very sensitive and need to be addressed through social and legal means. Safety at workplace and limited timings should be made part of legislation. The most important thing would be to spread awareness among potential victims as well as culprits about what would be considered as harassment and chargeable offense.
Your intentions to highlight this issue are praiseworthy, but I do not think that molestation takes place to the extent you describe. Pakistani women do not normally even smile when looking at male colleagues and harassment, if it takes place is minimum, even compared to western countries. In my experience of the workplace, women have been overlooked for promotion/opportunity time and again despite obvious suitability - and usually in favor of more 'connected' but less suitable males. That is an issue that needs to be highlighted as well. Women are nearly 50% of the population and their representation of anything bless than 20% should be considered shameful. But majority of our folks do not care a damn about such issues. I hear the new federal cabinet does not have a single woman as full minister. In stores all over the country, one hardly sees women salesmen. Whenever I talk about such issues, most of my 'friends' originally from Pakistan ignore even to recognize this sad fact.
This is an important issue, and no one can deny this. The real issue is who should make adjustment to normalize the situation: male, female, or both? I think, both. But, it is generally taken as for granted that male should make the required adjustment. The author also pointed out that "the mainstream working society in Pakistan is still not accustomed to working with female colleagues". Do you think, females are accustomed to working with males?
This is the reason i am in favour of opening licensed brothels so that frustrated awam and other sick minds can go there to take their frustration out without harassing other women at workplace or on the streets.
Pass as many bills and legislations as you may please, its all useless until the system is in order. How many women would be comfortable reporting a case of work place harassment is a child's guess!