PESHAWAR: A two-day capacity-building training programme for the members of anti-harassment inquiry committees of different organisations concluded here the other day.

The event was organised by the office of the anti-harassment ombudsperson in collaboration with the UN Women and UNFPA for the effective implementation of the Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010.

The inquiry committees were established in different public and private organisations on the directives of provincial ombudsperson Rukhshanda Naz.

Ms Naz highlighted the history of the ombudsperson’s office and its jurisdiction areas, including Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2010, and KP Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act, 2019.

She said the law had made it mandatory for public and private sector organisations to adopt a code of conduct provided therein and form three-member inquiry committees with at least one woman member to address the cases of sexual harassment.

High court lawyer Khadija Ali, who is also a consultant with the UNFPA, explained provisions of the Anti-Harassment Act, 2010, the vulnerabilities that caused the perpetuation and perpetration of harassment, role and responsibilities of duty bearers, powers and functions of inquiry committees under the Anti-Harassment Act, 2010, and responsibilities of employees.

She highlighted how organisations could accelerate and ensure the effective implementation of the anti-harassment law and create a safe and dignified working environment for employees.

Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2021