Saima Wazir

Humna Mehtab
Introduction:
• Harassment is a behavior that is intended to
disturb or upset another.

• Harassment can mean:

An action that makes someone feel
uncomfortable
Usage of words that make someone feel
uncomfortable
Putting someone at risk in some way
Factors that might cause harassment:
• Degrading words
• Pictures (like graffiti, photos, or posters)
• Undeserved demands
• Spoken or written putdowns
• Gestures
• Jokes
• other unwanted comments or acts
• Wanting to have power over the person.
Harassment can be on the basis of:
• Gender
• Race
• Disability
• Age
• Looks
• Personal grudges
• Religious beliefs
• Family
• Birth place
• Political beliefs
 What does the harasser think:

• He might not think he is harassing somebody.

• It might surprise him if someone calls him a harasser.
• He might not mean to harm, he is treating them the
way he has learned to treat women.
• He might feel that he has the right to behave this
way with them.
• He might not think his actions have a big impact on
her.
 What does the harasser think:

• He might want to push her out because of gender

biasness
• He might be angry because she is assertive or
question his way of doing things.
• He might know he is upsetting her or harming her.
He may enjoy the challenge. Maybe he feels more
powerful when he treats her badly.
 Work place means:

• An office
• A factory
• A building
• A private home
• A school
• A store
• Travelling during job
 Workplace harassment:
• “When someone harasses another person while they
are doing their job, or on their way to or from work “
• A harasser can be anyone whom they come in contact with
because of their work. That person might be a:
• Boss
• Supervisor
• Manager
• Member of your board of directors
• Coworker
• Customer
• Patient
• Person in the union.
 Examples of Workplace Harassment

• A joke passed on by a coworker like, “ would you like

to have some refreshment after work today? I can be
helpful”
• Threatening the employee like, “You better do my
work as well, for your own sake”
• Displaying degrading pictures in areas where females
have to work.
• Degrading comments whispered by a coworker.
 Examples of Workplace Harassment

• Acting or looking at them in a way to make them

uncomfortable.
• Threatening of demotion, dismissal, rejection of
promotion if his will is not complied with
• Purposely coming into proximity and making remarks
 Avoiding Harassment:

• Make him feel that the behaviour is not

approved of.
• Warning the person about the consequences
• Asking for support from the coworkers
• Informing the authorities
• Legal action.
Workplace Harassment In
Pakistan
 Workplace Harassment in Pakistan:

• The legal arrangement for stopping women

harassment is not satisfactory.
• Now they have planned to amend Section (2) (b) (i)
to provide women protection by dismissal of the
people involved in the act.
• Different organizations in Pakistan are working on
the issue both in private and public sector, like
AASHA , HRCP, Aurat Foundation respectively.
 Statistics of Pakistan:
• 58% of the interviewed nurses said that they faced
physical harassment at workplace, 11%refused its
existence and the rest denied to talk. (age limit: 16-
21)
• 93% of the employees faced physical harassment at
workplace (age limit: 14-30)
• At domestic level i.e. Brick kilns and agricultural
fields 95% women faced physical abuse.
(From Action Aid Pakistan)
Legal Protection offered to Women:
• In the era of Pervez Musharaf this issue was focused
on and initial steps were taken.
• Ministry of Women development are working with
CEDAW to eliminate the problem.
• Protection Against Harassment at Workplace Bill
2008 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2008,
are aimed at providing women protection.
• Formulation of Code of Conduct.
• Government has sought help of media to create
awareness among the masses.
SOURCE: www.dawn.com
www.ittaleem.com
Problems faced by Women in Peshawar

Threats from Islamic Extremists, to the

institutions working for women protection.
Putting pressure to follow a certain dress
code.
Discouragement from male co-workers and
family
No legal protection against any discrepancy
Problems faced by Women in Peshawar
Male dominating society

Expectations to manage both, career and

household equally.

The disrespect for their gender

Due to this disrespect(by customers and

extremists), female workers at KFC quit their jobs
 Continued...

• On 2 July 2000, leaders of the Tehrik-e-Nafaz-e-

Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) in Malakand Division
directed their followers during a rally to marry any
woman belonging to an NGO they met. Its leader
said, ''if you see any female NGO worker in our area
take her home and marry her so that she spends [the
rest of] her life inside four walls'‘
• NGO’s like Khwendo Kor is on the hit list
 Continued...

• The dire need for shelter is evident from government

statistics: of 780 women who approached the six
governmental Women Crisis Centres, 291 women
sought legal assistance, 55 medical help and 60
shelter; the latter were sent to Darul Amans
• There are several women sheltering in Peshawar
Central Jail, detained under section 107 Code of
Criminal Procedure (CrPC)
Question: Yes: No: Indifference: Comments:
Have you ever The sample was
experienced any
62.5% 37.5% ___ from different
type of Harassment backgrounds of
(Vocal, physical, work, including
discrimination)? interns, managers,
nannies, teachers

Did you take any the women from

step against it?
40% 60% ___ organizations with
less flexibility,
refused to reveal

Was any action

taken?
20% 80%
Did female 12.5% said that they
coworkers support?
25% 12.5% 62.5% faced rudeness
from their
coworkers

Have you ever

witnessed physical
37.5% 62.5% ___
assault?
Is there any policy The sample was
designed against it?
44% 66% ___ from different
backgrounds, even
homes.
Personal Experiences of:
• The Teachers
• The Managers
• The Nannies
• The Interns
• The middle managerial staff
• The female helpers at homes
Any Questions