HYDERABAD: Sindh Commission on Status of Women chairperson Nuzhat Shireen has said that if sexual harassment and discrimination against women continue in universities, it will adversely affect performance of female students and teachers.

She told a press conference at the local press club on Thursday that she had visited Sindh University in response to a complaint made by a female professor and obtained details about it from the vice chancellor and other faculty members.

Disparity between male and female teachers in Sindh University and other universities of the province was causing unrest among female teachers and girls, she said.

She demanded Sindh’s Inspector General of Police strengthen women police stations and provide protection to women by implementing gender laws in letter and spirit.

She said that she had informed higher authorities that the individuals who were well-versed in gender laws and could ensure their implementation across Sindh should be appointed as vice chancellors.

She said that the commissioner had requested Sindh chief minister Murad Ali Shah to improve paraphernalia and strength of staff in offices of women development department at district level and increase their budgetary allocations.

She said the commissioner entertained applications by victims, took action on them by visiting the area to gather facts and sent reports to chief minister with recommendations. Details about committees on cases of harassment were sought from all universities but none of them had so far responded, she said.

She expressed concern over failure to implement laws on sexual harassment and said that the commission had directed managements of all private and public sector universities to implement the law and display it on their premises.

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2019