PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Anti-Harassment Ombudsperson Secretariat with the help of the Trans-Peshawar company has established special counters at three major stations of the Bus Rapid Transit service to create awareness of the 2010 anti-harassment law among commuters.

The ‘knowledge corners’ have been put up at the University of Peshawar, Saddar and Sardar Garhi BRT stations, where material regarding the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, and the women’s right to property is available.

According to a news release issued here, the initiative is meant to create safe and dignified environment for everyone in all places.

“The ombudsperson’s office plans to not only inform the people about punishments mentioned in the law but also disseminate a proper code of conduct to be followed by everyone in public and workplaces,” it said.

The ombudsperson’s office was established in 2019 for the implementation of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, in the province.

The release said since appointment in 2019, ombudsperson Rukhshanda Naz had taken several steps to protect women at workplace and public places against harassment and directed all public and private sector bodies to set up the relevant inquiry committees under the law.

It added that the mandate of the ombudsperson’s office was not only to implement the law but also to raise awareness and sensitise people about harassment laws.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2021