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Women Harassment at Workplace
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Women Harassment at Workplace
Workplace harassment against women in Pakistan remains one of the most pressing yet underreported issues in the professional realm. Despite legal advancements and growing awareness, cultural stigmas, systemic barriers, and institutional negligence continue to enable toxic work environments for many women. This article provides a comprehensive exploration of the different facets of workplace harassment in Pakistan, aiming to raise awareness, analyze root causes, evaluate existing laws and policies, and propose effective strategies for prevention and redressal.
What Constitutes Workplace Harassment?
Workplace harassment includes any unwelcome behavior—verbal, non-verbal, physical, or visual—that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work environment. For women in Pakistan, this can range from lewd comments and inappropriate touching to gender-based discrimination and psychological intimidation.
Legal Framework in Pakistan
Key Legislation: Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010: The primary law aimed at preventing and addressing workplace harassment. It mandates the formation of inquiry committees in organizations and defines penalties for offenders. Section 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code: Addresses insulting the modesty or privacy of a woman, including through verbal or physical acts.
Types of Harassment Women Face:
Sexual Harassment: Unwanted advances, inappropriate touching, sexually explicit jokes or messages. Verbal Abuse: Demeaning remarks, sexist jokes, character assassination. Psychological Harassment: Bullying, gaslighting, intimidation, exclusion from important meetings. Digital Harassment: Inappropriate messages or threats via email, social media, or messaging apps.
Implementation Challenges:
Lack of awareness about rights and procedures Inadequate enforcement and oversight Intimidation of victims and witnesses Weak internal committees within organizations
Cultural and Social Dimensions
Gender Norms and Patriarchy In Pakistani society, deep-rooted patriarchal norms often justify or overlook harassment. Women are frequently blamed for incidents or discouraged from speaking out to protect family honor. Fear of Repercussions Victims often fear retaliation, loss of employment, or character defamation, which deters them from reporting incidents. This is particularly true in conservative or rural settings where women have limited social mobility.
Sector-Specific Challenges
Corporate Sector Women in corporate environments may face covert forms of harassment such as exclusion from decision-making or being judged by appearance. Fear of career stagnation discourages reporting. Healthcare and Education Nurses, doctors, and teachers—especially in rural areas—face frequent harassment by colleagues, patients, or even parents of students.
