Women must ‘fearlessly’ report all gender-based discrimination at workplace: Ombudswoman

Federal Ombudswoman for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Fauzia Waqar on Friday said that women must report all kinds of gender-based discrimination at the workplace, including physical misconduct, denial of equal opportunities, disregard for merit, and ban on senior roles. The amendment to the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 passed by the senate on January 4, 2022 expanded the scope of the legislation by defining harassment as (i) any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours, stalking or cyber stalking or other verbal, visual or written communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature or sexually demeaning attitudes, including any gestures or expression conveying derogatory connotation causing interference with work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, or the attempt to punish the complainant for refusal to comply to such a request or is made a condition for employment; or (ii) discrimination on basis of gender, which may or may not be sexual in nature, but which may embody a discriminatory and prejudicial mind-set or notion, resulting in discriminatory behavior on basis of gender against the complainant Read: Workplace harassment: SHC disposes of KE ex-CEO's plea Inculcating awareness regarding the law, Fauzia urged the women to report all incidents of workplace harassment sans fear, stressing that awareness and timely complaints are key to ensuring legal protection and holding offenders accountable. During a locally televised interview, the ombudswoman said that the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace law was in effect across both public and private sector institutions. Fauzia warned that anyone found guilty would be held accountable under the law. She highlighted that workplace harassment was not limited to unwelcome physical contact but also included discrimination on grounds of gender, which prevented women from acquiring senior roles despite being on merit. Also Read: Men break silence on workplace harassment Explaining the law, the ombudswoman said repeated attempts to invade a female’s personal space, standing in unnecessary proximity, or any conduct that created an intimidating or hostile work environment may also constitute workplace harassment. She asked women not to suffer in silence out of fear of victim-blaming. She encouraged them to report such incidents, reaffirming that the law provides “equal” protection and applies uniformly across both public and private sector institutions. The law provides for stringent penalties, including substantial fines and other legal punishments, for those found guilty of workplace harassment or for anyone attempting to suppress a complaint or retaliate against a complainant, the ombudswoman stated further. Fauzia stressed that the law protects complainants against victimisation and ensures that those engaging in any form of revenge or intimidation can also be held accountable; therefore, women should not fear retaliatory action for reporting such cases. The federal ombudswoman asserted that the government maintained a strict zero-tolerance policy towards workplace harassment, adding that the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment (FOSPAH) remains committed to ensuring timely justice, safeguarding women’ s rights, and promoting safe and dignified workplaces across the country.

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