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Did Kashmala Tariq really say that sending 'good morning' messages is harassment?

Did Kashmala Tariq really say that sending 'good morning' messages is harassment?

I said people shouldn't use their power to ask women out for lunches. That amounts to harassment too, she clarified
Updated 20 Mar, 2019

Kashmala Tariq, Pakistan's federal ombudsperson for protection against harassment of women, made several headlines yesterday for saying that sending 'good morning' and 'best wishes' messages to women is a form of harassment.

Tariq allegedly made the statement during the Women's Day celebrations at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce yesterday.

But soon after, she took to Twitter to say that she's being quoted out of context.

She claimed, "At Women’s Day Celebrations at Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce today, I said that people [should] not use their position of power to exploit women [and] ask them out for lunches [and] teas. That tantamounts to harassment too. I said unwelcoming [and] unwanted text messages [and] stalking on social media is also harassment. And then I gave examples. Media [should] not take just one line out of context please."

This isn't the first time a woman's statement about what constitutes harassment has sparked controversy. In October 2017, filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy tweeted that she's taking action against a doctor who harassed her sister by adding her sister on Facebook after administering emergency treatment to her. Her tweet sparked considerable backlash ranging from claims that she's trivialising the serious issue of harassment to accusations of abuse of power.

In Kashmala's case, her alleged statement has sparked a slew of tweets wishing her 'good morning'. How ironic.

Comments

Sadaf Mar 20, 2019 12:05pm
If she said about invitation to lunches and dinner, she's right. It constitutes harassment.
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Sameer Mar 20, 2019 12:13pm
She is a forgotten politician. Why is this news even relevant.
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Gordon D. Walker Mar 20, 2019 12:19pm
Tariq is way, way out of line.... Gordon D. Walker Canada
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Yours Truly Mar 20, 2019 01:27pm
If the unsolicited messages and greetings are an irritant, then if sent to a woman, even if seemingly gentlemanly, should be treated as a possible case of sexual harassment.
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AbdulGaffar Jamal Mar 20, 2019 02:11pm
People have learnt this offer of lunch to women at work place through TV dramas and many of them are success in the shape of marriage.
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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Mar 20, 2019 02:28pm
Can someone please let us know why she gets top positions in all governments? On what merits she becomes automatic selection?
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kjingar Mar 20, 2019 03:16pm
I agree, any unwanted message to woman (or even man) is a harassment.
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Sane Mar 20, 2019 03:29pm
In our society, every one seems carrying own definition for harassment. The above is akin to stereotype
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benish Mar 20, 2019 03:33pm
I agree with her. If a colleague sends you good morning, good evening messages continuously and you both have no friendly relationship then it is definitely harassment. We feel threatened by unsolicited messages.
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Sunshine ,USA Mar 20, 2019 04:31pm
What happens to a polite yet firm " NO" from a woman in Pakistan ?
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HashBrown® Mar 20, 2019 05:14pm
Dawn, every time you try to play the role of Feminism Police, you get it wrong. Actually KT was correct in the point she was trying to make. Sometimes a simple "good morning" text - if sent inappropriately - can be harassment. If a teacher gets it from a student, or a victim of crime gets it from a police officer, yes it can very much be considered harassment.
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Moth Mar 20, 2019 05:16pm
Harassment is a complex lex issue with many many gray areas. Her statement is in gray area. In US we could say good morning even to a stranger, neighbor, bystander, etc. symbol of being nice and respectful to others. But I am from Pakistan and I know what it means when texting “good morning “ to a woman being a man. There is hidden intension that what Ms. Tariq expressing. And that hidden intesnsion can be considered very initial step of harassment. Further texting “good morning” vs “saying good morning” two different scenarios. The later may not be the sign of harrassement but the first one may be.
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Ehsan Mar 20, 2019 05:39pm
Men are feeling so insecure by aurat march posters and are trying to divide ‘goof vs bad women’
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Zak Mar 20, 2019 06:28pm
Leave her alone. She is an intelligent lady, who has represented Pakistan on many international forums with panache.
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Karim Mar 20, 2019 06:48pm
@Sameer This is relevant because of its about an issue. I don't think only politicians who are in limelight should speak about issues. Every sane person should come forward and speak against the ills of society.
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SHAH S Mar 20, 2019 07:38pm
@Sunshine ,USA ; Only in daytime it is NO, but after sunset.. its another matter; and surely then its not harassment ;
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MFK Mar 20, 2019 08:01pm
What happened to there are no conditions to feminism you have to accept all of it?
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tuk Mar 20, 2019 08:35pm
All unsolicited messages are inappropriate. If after blocking, someone still tries to contact you, that is harassment. After New Zealand incident, strong social media regulations need to be developed!
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bhaRAT© Mar 20, 2019 08:58pm
@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan I will tell you t that. Her good looks.
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RACHEL IQBAL Mar 20, 2019 09:23pm
Most vulnerable women have been asked for lunches and dinners and this is harassment.
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zh Mar 20, 2019 09:57pm
She is right. Persistent and undesirable greetings and good wishes amount to harassment.
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Awaz.... Mar 20, 2019 11:16pm
What about if women invite men for coffee, lunch or send best wished or Good Morning? Is it also a form of harassment? Kashmala ji, Just grow up!!!
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M. Saeed Mar 20, 2019 11:37pm
Any message to a woman from a stranger, is harassment.
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Faraz-Canada Mar 20, 2019 11:54pm
They want to be treated as equals but then balk at a good morning message or a lunch invitation. Just turn them down and move on
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qaiser Mar 21, 2019 02:49am
@Sadaf a woman can just refuse if someone is inviting or just do not reply.
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qaiser Mar 21, 2019 02:51am
Kashmala can you suggest any other decent way for a man to approach you.
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m Mar 21, 2019 05:03am
she is right. even if her comments taken out of context. why should a colleague or co worker send good morning messages on social media to a female colleague? what purpose does it serve other than looking to build on this in some way ??
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THE MORNING STAR Mar 21, 2019 05:42am
She is right but it has to be repeated and persistent behavior to constitute harassment.
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Anita Turab Mar 21, 2019 07:09am
She is right. Unwanted texts and inappropriate jokes shared with women and girls in the workplace are common. This is harassment.
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Ali Sabir Mar 21, 2019 09:26am
They can ask. You are not forced to go.
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Awalmir Mar 21, 2019 09:54am
A friend request is harrassment?!
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Waseem Mar 21, 2019 11:06am
Feeling surounded by totally confused people.
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Guest Mar 21, 2019 11:55am
Absolutely right!
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Laila Mar 22, 2019 08:47am
@Awaz.... Yes if it is unwanted, undesirable, unsolicited. You should look up the meaning of all 3 words and read her full statement in order to understand what she said. Don't just cherry pick.
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Laila Mar 22, 2019 08:50am
@Faraz-Canada You don't seem to understand equality or unsolicited and unwanted messages. Equality while different. We are not talking genderneutrality. Maybe you should take your own advice.
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Sabir Pakistani Mar 23, 2019 12:47am
Media should play its positive roll and do not shame female politicians that is disencouraging.
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