KHAIRPUR, Sept 19: Lack of education and illiteracy are the main factors which contribute to sexual harassment at workplace, said speakers participating in a seminar held on Thursday at the Shah Abdul Latif University (SALU), Khairpur.

The seminar, titled ‘Harassment of women at the work place: suggestions and remedies’, was organised by the varsity’s sociologydepartment and was attended by lawyers, women rights workers and also lawmakers.

A former MPA of the Pakistan People’s Party, Syed Bachal Shah Jillani, said that in western countries a balance was maintained between men and women. He said that women faced harassment even in the national flag carrier and also those who worked in the banking sector.

Women were victimised due to lack of education and awareness, said Dr Abdul Ghaffar Siddiqui, adding that it was time the legitimate rights of women were protected.

A judicial magistrate, Samina Mangi, said that laws against harassment were present but women needed to approach the courts to uphold them.

A women’s rights activist, Yasmeen Abro, said that women themselves must strive to maintain their dignity, respect and a place in society.

She said that even Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai had recognised the rights of women in his poetry and his Seven Surmiyon were proof of it. She said that education was essential for girls because they were the future of the nation.

Participants in the seminar passed a resolution demanding strict implementation of laws to curb sexual harassment.

The SALU vice chancellor, Prof Parveen Shah, said such women as Hazrat Khadija, Hazrat Fatima and Bibi Zainab had rendered great services for society but today’s world had adopted discriminatory policies towards women.

Later in the seminar, students from the Sindh Children Academy in Khairpur performed tableaux. A launching ceremony was also held for book ‘Subho jo Salam’ written by Dr Najma Noor Phulpoto.