Bahawalpur: An awareness seminar on women’s rights and protection against harassment at the workplace was organized at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB), with Provincial Ombudsman Punjab Dr Najma Afzal Khan attending as the chief guest.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kamran, Chairperson University Center for Anti-Harassment and Discrimination, members of the committee, senior faculty members, university officers and representatives of various district departments participated in the seminar.
Addressing the participants, Provincial Ombudsman Punjab Dr. Najma Afzal Khan said it was the vision of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif to ensure that women could access their rights and protection at their doorstep. She said harassment of women was a punishable offence and stressed the importance of providing women with a safe, conducive and respectful environment where they could perform their professional responsibilities with confidence.
Dr Najma Afzal Khan said the institution of the Provincial Ombudsman Punjab had been established in 2013 to provide relief and protection to citizens, including women facing harassment and other forms of injustice. She said workplace harassment was a punishable offence and both public and private institutions were required to establish anti-harassment committees in accordance with the law. She explained that an anti-harassment committee comprising three members should be constituted in every institution. Such mechanisms, she said, enabled complainants to seek timely relief, and both men and women could approach the relevant forum in cases of harassment.
The Provincial Ombudsman emphasized that institutions employing women must ensure compliance with the relevant Code of Conduct and establish inquiry committees. She said teams associated with the Ombudsman’s institution were visiting workplaces to create awareness and provide training to members of these committees. She further stressed that the Code of Conduct should be prominently displayed at workplaces where women were employed. She said it was also the responsibility of the relevant institutions to monitor workplaces and ensure effective implementation of measures designed to prevent harassment.
Dr Najma Afzal Khan observed that workplace harassment was not merely a local issue but a global challenge requiring sustained efforts, awareness and preventive measures. She said awareness seminars were being organized across Punjab to educate people about women’s rights and the mechanisms available for protection against harassment.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Kamran said Islam has recognized and protected the rights of women more than 1,400 years ago. He said the teachings of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) provided women with socio-economic and legal rights as well as protection and dignity. He appreciated the initiatives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif for the protection and empowerment of women and said IUB had adopted a zero-tolerance policy against harassment.
The Vice Chancellor said the university’s doors were always open to teachers and students facing any harassment-related issue. He said the University Center for Anti-Harassment and Discrimination had been established to address complaints and ensure prompt action. He added that all students, faculty members and staff could approach the relevant committee with their complaints and assured that such matters would be dealt with in accordance with the law and university policy.
Staff Officer Hafiz Farooq Anwar also briefed the participants on the requirement to prominently display the Code of Conduct at workplaces employing women. Law Officer Federal Ombudsman Regional Office Bahawalpur Mohsin Majeed briefed the participants on the Prevention of Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, including its subsequent amendments, and provided information about legal protections available to women at the workplace.
The seminar concluded with an emphasis on strengthening institutional mechanisms, increasing legal awareness and ensuring safe, respectful and harassment-free workplaces for women.
