A seminar on ‘Sexual Harassment at the Workplace (Criminal Law Amendment) 2009 and the Prevalence of Anti-Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2011’ was conducted by the Women Institute for Leadership and Learning, Lahore College for Women University in collaboration with the Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) on Friday. Speakers from different walks of life shared their knowledge and views regarding sexual harassment, anti-women practices and the laws and initiatives which are needed for the implementation of laws. Punjab Women Development Department Secretary Irum Bukhari was the chief guest at the seminar.
The seminar began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Then Sana Farooq, a student from Gender and Development Studies, expressed her views regarding sexual harassment.
Faculty of Humanity and Arts Dean and LCWU Institute of Language and Culture Director Prof Naushaba Farooq told the participants about the initiatives taken by the LCWU on sexual harassment. She said a committee had been formed in order to prevent and deal with sexual harassment in LCWU. Hina Hafeez, High Court advocate, talked about the laws and amendments that have been made in the PPC. She also appreciated the efforts of the government in introducing the Anti-Women Practice bill and Sexual Harassment at Workplace (Criminal Law Amendment) 2009.
WISE Executive Director Bushra Khaliq discussed the role and efforts made by the civil society for their work regarding the approval of the sexual harassment bill. She said students, especially young girls, should take initiatives to stop being sexually harassed.
Aurat Foundation Programme Manager Mumtaz Mughal pointed out that despite all efforts made by the government; the cases of violence against women are increasing day by day. There is need to start an awareness campaign against sexual harassment and the government should give priority to the laws that check and control discrimination.
SPO Regional Head Salman Abid talked about the role of the society and said educational institutes can play a very most important role in building and strengthening the society. He stated that to eliminate discrimination against women, society’s support structures need to be strengthened.
Irum Bukhari highlighted the work done by the Women Development Department regarding women’s rights. She said the Punjab CM had announced a comprehensive women empowerment package that corroborates the government’s firm commitment to addressing the social and economic rights of women who make up half of the population of Punjab.
