April 9, 2003	Wednesday	Safar 6, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, April 8: The Ministry of Women Development, Social Welfare and Special Education, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has re-drafted “Code of Conduct for Gender Justice at the Work place” for formal approval from cabinet, Dawn has learnt.

The code of conduct will be applicable to government employees, private sector organizations, including export processing zones, partnerships, educational institutions, non- government organizations, registered bodies, and all employees of such organizations/institutions, including the management and owners.

Violation of this code will be considered as “misconduct” under civil services rules, Establishment Code, and West Pakistan Industrial & Commercial Employment (Standing Orders) Ordinance 1968.

The management concerned will be responsible to follow this code in letter and spirit to ensure that each complaint is addressed responsibly.

Earlier, the draft was presented before the cabinet for discussion on October 5, 2002. However, it was put aside for further study due to some concerns expressed by the cabinet members.

Thereafter, the women development ministry held in depth consultations in provincial capitals with key stakeholders including Establishment Division, information, health and labour ministries, government representatives, trade union representatives, civil society organizations, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. International Labour Organization also gave it formal comments in this regard.

A major impediment to women who wish to join the national work force is gender harassment at workplace, the draft said. The code of conduct basically aims at providing protection, safety and care to women at the workplace.

Under the code of conduct, gender harassment at workplace includes any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favours or other verbal or physical conduct of such nature, and vindictive attitude after getting refusal to such request.

The ministries of women development and labour will constitute vigilance committees to monitor and oversee application of this code at the district level.

Each of these committees will have one each representative from ministries of labour and women development, workers, employer, and civil society organizations.

In every province, and federal capital, there should be a woman officer, of not less than Grade-17, serving as deputy director in the directorate of labour to help implement the code of conduct.

According to the re-drafted code of conduct for gender justice, a complainant may find it difficult to report gender harassment because of fear of embarrassment, publicity, economic vulnerability, and fear of retaliation by the accused, co-worker or the employer.

The code of conduct has suggested a formal and informal approach to deal with gender bases harassment at workplace. Under the informal approach, the issue can be resolved through mediation between parties concerned. And, if the case is taken up for investigation at the informal level, a senior manager from the office will conduct the inquiry in a confidential manner.