ISLAMABAD: If you send someone a text message saying “Good morning” it is also form of harassment, says Kashmala Tariq, the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplaces.
“Harassment isn’t just physical it can also be mental,” she said while speaking to the media at the Rawalpindi chamber of commerce on Tuesday.
Ms Tariq added that if someone is continuously insisting that you go for a cup of tea with them even that can be categorized as harassment.
She urged women being harassed to lodge complaints online at the harassment center. She also said that men should give women their space so they can both work together peacefully.
A work place harassment law was passed in 2010. The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010 states that harassment is the following:
1. Any unwelcome sexual advance
2. Request for sexual favors or
3. Other verbal or written communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature
4. Sexually demeaning attitudes
5. Causing interference with work performance
6. Creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment
7. An attempt to punish a complainant for refusal to comply with such a request
And it is also harassment if you make these a condition for employment or say that the woman or man can only get the job if she or he complies with your requests.
The law also says that these rules on unacceptable behavior in an organization or workplace apply to any interaction or situation linked to official work outside the office.
Women in Pakistan form 24% of the workforce despite being 49% of the population.
