by JayJay
The life of a Pakistani woman is not easy. It is not a hidden fact that she is subjected to discrimination and harassment, within and without the so-called sanctuary of her home. However, harassment and bullying becomes more intense and blatant when she steps out of her home for work or education. From catcalls to verbal innuendo to physical harassment, she has to endure it all, mostly at the hands of strangers, on the streets and on public transport. This harassment does not stop, or rather become more palpable in many cases, at her place of work. The act of harassing women, with sexual tones and motives, by fellow employees or supervisors/managers is referred to sexual harassment. Wikipedia defines sexual harassment as:
Harassment or unwelcome attention of a sexual nature. It includes a range of behavior from mild transgressions and annoyances to serious abuses, which can even involve forced sexual activity. Sexual harassment is considered a form of illegal discrimination in many countries, and is a form of abuse (sexual and psychological) and bullying.
An editorial from The News on October 1 has summed up the issue well, by pointing out to the absence of appropriate legislation to deal with this growing phenomenon. Offering some the broad suggestions, the editorial reads:
As a first step, the government and the private sector should join hands to start a campaign in which sexual harassment in the workplace is defined. This will make working women understand what is acceptable and what is not acceptable behavior in a workplace. The second step in this national exercise would be to ask employers to put into place a proper policy that defines sexual harassment and clearly spells out what action is to be taken against someone found guilty of it. In addition to this, employers need to have a mechanism which enables any employee subjected to such harassment to approach an appropriate forum for filing a complaint. The complaint should be treated confidentially and investigated, and if guilty the offender should be punished according to the employer’s code of ethics for employees. Of course, given that many companies have an environment which is more or less male-dominated and where men are in most decision-making senior roles, it may be a bit much to expect that things will change overnight. However, to do nothing would also be a sign that we as a nation are not willing to evolve and provide justice to those who are victims of this menace.
The menace of sexual harassment at the place of work has been comprehensively and effectively addressed by the West where workplaces are no longer the sole domain of men. Pakistan has a lot to catch up on this matter, and quickly so, as more and more women are entering workforce. It makes economic sense both for employers and the government to have an effective and clear legislation and corporate policies to protect women against harassment. Not only skills and talent of education women can be brought to use more effectively by attracting them in a safe workplace but it has been seen worldwide that presence of women in offices helps boost productivity, besides infusing fresh ideas and way of thinking.
While enacting a piece of legislation and formulating policies is most critical step, a concerted awareness campaign is necessary to influence general attitudes and social behaviors. Without bringing about change to prevalent perception of working women in Pakistan, there is little chance of success in overcoming the problem of sexual harassment. The fact of matter is that most women in Pakistan brave into men-dominated workplaces out of economic necessity, rather than to fulfill career aspirations. The position of women in workplace in Europe, North American and even South East Asia has become entrenched, still it is not odd to come across a public service announcement to press the message on the issue. Such public service announcements are even more necessary in a society like Pakistan where we leg behind even comparable countries in accepting the role of women at work.
Salamalikum,
Two things. First, if the purpose is to start a dialog, then this type of thing has been covered several times here and the comments that follow here more or less are the same for the other similar posts. In other words, it’s not adding much value and only differs from previous posts in details. Now, if the purpose is sensationalism, then you have got the right post.
Second, The News editorial starts out as “As a first step, the government and the private sector should join hands to start a campaign in which sexual harassment in the workplace is defined.”
So, does this mean some actions shouldn’t be considered harassment? In other words, this suggestion of the The News editor seems to be saying that certain level of flirtation by men (or women) would ok going. No?
If you want to reduce harassment, implement some Islamic laws (very easy to find), stop the transmission of 95% of cable/satellite channels, teach Islam/zuhd/taqwa to people, and see how these things vanish inshaAllah.
Somebody might be suggesting that these problems, harrasment and such, didn’t exit back in 50s and 60s. Why? Because you didn’t have these fahash channels, music imported from our neighbors in the West.
I’ve a feeling I’m repeating myself. Ah, yes, because this sort of post and subsequent comments have already been talked about. Try to come up with something original instead of reinventing the wheel.
This whole article revolves around sexual harrasment of women at work place… how many women in Pakistan have jobs? what percentage of women of Pakistan are employed? This issue is more of a problem where women do have jobs in offices and that is in the west… I am totally against such harrasment but we need to see what causes such a thing. The west has the same problem that is why they have laws to protect women. So we can’t say that it is only Pakistan where women face such difficulties; in the “modern” west women still feel little slaps of discrimination…
The ratio of employed women in Pakistan is very low so the problem is at a very small scale and can be contained by introducing laws to protect the rights of women at any point in time… but before that we need to eliminate those evils from society that cause such an issue… I don’t believe in plain and simple equality between a man and a women; I believe that there is a balance between both sexes that makes them equal… we need to educate our soceity and teach every member to respect each other and look for answers and resolutions that are already there in our beliefs i.e. Islam, instead of adopting foreign remedies…
If you really want to know how women are looked at in our society just watch the recording of the cricket matches that were played within last week at the Qaddafi stadium (first time the newly installed big screen showed live T.V coverage) and notice what happens when the camera focuses on a female spectator.
Comments on Bint-e-Hawa,
A taboo politically exploited by seculars and left
some of them are:
prejudicial, falsly chaotic, indirectly blamed to the
culture and religion without intelligence or valid argumts.
JayJay,
This is good post and a great thought.
Did we have this problem back in the 50s and 60s? Anyone?
Gropping and fondeling and touching. because I heard some shamful stories. Women in market especially are target and in the corporate sector, it is as if women has advertised herself for sale.
I know it is not an easy thing to get rid of. Yes we see this here and in United States.
First, two wrong do not make one right.
Second, there is a concerted effort at least at work to make environment free of any harrassment and you know how outside operates. Not 100% free of harrassment but acceptable and tolerable.
I think we can make Pakistani environment clean and free of harrassment for all. It has to be implemented with some monetary damages and jail time.
Here I have to praise Dubai and UAE in general. I have seen foreign and local women alike walking in the middle of night in the dark alleys without fear. Rather you fear them lest they blackmail you.