Unprotected: Still no off icial to tackle sexual harassment

Social activists demand immediate appointment of ombudsperson

PESHAWAR: Adviser to Chief Minister on Social Welfare Dr Mehar Taj Roghani assured social activists the hiring of an ombudsperson to deal with cases of sexual harassment in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa was a priority.

A joint delegation of MEN UNiTE, Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network (PCSN), Tribal NGOs Consortium (TNC) and EVAW Alliance met her on Monday. It was headed by Qamar Naseem, a women’s rights activist from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the coordinator of MEN UNiTE.

The same organisations held a sit-in outside Peshawar Press Club last month and launched an online petition to demand the appointment of an ombudsperson. Members expressed deep concern that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led provincial government failed to appoint such an official despite its slogans of women empowerment.

They pointed out five years had passed since legislation was introduced to protect women from harassment at the workplace. The alliance demanded the urgent appointment of an ombudsperson in K-P as cases of sexual harassment were increasing at an alarming rate.

Suffer in silence

MEN UNiTE Coordinator Qamar Naseem, representing the joint delegation, said Pakistani men were ignorant about the scope and effects of sexual harassment but that has begun to change over the years. “Persistent efforts of commendable women have seen sexual harassment complaints grabbing headlines for the first time,” he said. “However, because the K-P government has failed to place an appropriate mechanism to deal with such cases, a vast majority of sexual harassment cases remain unchallenged.”

Naseem stated a large number of women suffered silently instead of rising up and fighting against such harassment. “Social activists and the citizens of K-P have waited enough,” he warned. “If the K-P government does not act immediately, civil society alliances will hold demonstrations in front of the Chief Minister House and a sit-in will be organised till an ombudsperson is appointed.” The organisations were also looking at the option of filing a writ petition in the high court over the matter.

Let’s talk about…

“As more instances of sexual harassment become public, the issue is gaining visibility and campaigns against it are gaining momentum.” He said women in Pakistani society were taught not to talk about anything related to sex or sexuality. However, he appreciated the fact that sexual harassment was being recognised as a form of violence.

After the meeting, Taimur Kamal of PCSN said it was disappointing to see few government organisations and NGOs fulfilling their responsibilities in accordance with the law. “In many cases, this is because employers are simply unaware of their obligations. At the same time, employers can break the law knowing that victims are unaware.”

Fida Jan of EVAW Alliance said there were major obstacles preventing the elimination of sexual harassment from the workplace.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2015.