Women Harassment at Work Place

Woman empowerment begins from the day she is born. The way she has been treated and raised from the time of birth determines how she will be treated when she steps out of her home, how she will protect herself from the society and the harassment she will be facing in her day to day life. Women are harassed at home by family, at schools by teachers and fellow students and apparently Women Harassment at Work Place is at its highest peak.

Women are harassed at home, by society, at workplace, and not to forget at schools and colleges. The only reason being her gender. The worth and respect she gets from home forms a measuring scale for her when she steps out. What she learnt and received as a child and while growing up will remain with her for the rest of her life. Whether she will become a courageous fighter or a victim of the society will have the roots of upbringing and atmosphere she was exposed to.

She is abused at home, in schools, by society and harassed at workplace , she is loathed and insulted, why ? Because she is a women. Many women may go on accepting such behavior from society because that is the only thing she knows, that’s how she was treated by family as a female child, than at school by her schools mates and teachers. She was never taught to raise her voice against injustice; on the contrary she was forced to keep quite. on the other hand as child if raised with love and respect she would expect the same from society and every single person that comes in her life. Raise her with dignity and respect she will definitely come out as warrior, she will fight and will have courage to raise her voice against injustice.

Women harassment at work place is increasing with time all over the world. Women are harassed by their male colleagues and their male bosses. This treatment has been going on for a long time as there was lack of awareness among women, there was lack of information, lack of knowledge and education. Many women may go on being harassed at work place without realizing what actually may be happening. There is sexual, verbal and mental harassment prevalent at workplace everywhere. Women beware. Always know your worth and always demand respect. When the worse comes to worse you will only lose your job but your dignity, respect and peace of mind will remain protected.

Sexual harassment includes physical contact and advances, demand or request for sexual favors, sexually colored remarks, showing any pornography and any other unwelcome physical, verbal and non-verbal conduct of a sexual nature. Verbal and mental abuse is no less tormenting, either ways your soul gets shattered. The moment a women realizes what was actually happening to her, she is shattered, broken and the world falls right in front of her eyes. She may never recover. May be will gather the courage to face the world again but the memories will haunt her for the rest of her life.

There are laws and lot of organizations working for the rights of women and provide them protection. Many of us know about them and many may still be unaware. Women just need to have courage to speak up. Don’t stay quite – Scream if you are hurt.

Women Protection Cell – WPC (established by DIG Hyderabad , Khadim Rind)

WPC is protecting women against violence in the Sindh region. WPC has established Legal Aid group to provided free of cost services to poor and vulnerable women when referred by WPC.

Land Line Number (022) 92-00-877

Cell – 1 0316-1311823

Cell – 2 0306-1311823

Email dwpc.dighyd@gmail.com

Facebook Page fb.com/womenprotectioncell

Office Address Ground Floor, DIG Police Office, Shahbaz Building, Thandi Sarak, Hyderabad, Sindh

Timings Monday to Thursday 11.00 am to 4.00 pm, Friday 11.00 am to 1.00 pm

The Punjab Commission On The Status of Women.

Toll free help line #1043 has been established by the Government of Punjab to provide guidance and legal advice to women in Punjab for problems related to harassment at work, property despute, domestic violence, etc.

Help Line 1043

Timings 8.00am – 4.00pm (Monday to Saturday)

URL pcsw.punjab.gov.pk

It is always advice able to have the following information handy while calling:

Complainant Name
CNIC (or any other identity)
Address
Source of information
Precise summary of information required or lodge a complaint

Call Center agent will assist you and provide you relevant information or gather the information to lodge complaint. For details visit their web site.

Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace.

Also working to create safe working environment for women which is free of harassment and abuse.

Email info@fos-pah.gov.pk

Phone No +92-51-9262948

Fax No +92-51-9262945

URL www.fos-pah.gov.pk

Address 14-M, Ali Plaza, First Floor, F-8 Markaz, Islamabad.

For online Complain http://www.fos-pah.gov.pk/cmis.php

There are other who are also working to protect women like CPLC and the Women Police of Pakistan. At the end its my humble request to all women out there please have courage. All you need to do is speak up for not just yourself but for those who cannot fight for themselves. Don’t forget if you find yourself weak there is always someone out there to help you.