ISLAMABAD, Jan 2: As many as 725 cases were registered with the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment at Workplace (FOSPAH) in 2023.

Federal Ombudsperson for FOSPAH Ms Fauzia Viqar said that during a briefing given to President Dr Arif Alvi who chaired a meeting during his visit to the FOSPAH Head Office on Tuesday.

Ms Viqar gave a detailed presentation about the role and achievements of FOSPAH in protecting women’s rights. She informed that FOSPAH was providing speedy justice in harassment at the workplace and property cases of women who had been deprived of their ownership rights.

She informed the president that out of 725 harassment cases, registered last year, 517 cases had been decided. She said that an upsurge had been witnessed in the registration of harassment and women’s property cases with FOSPAH due to the awareness campaign about its role and functions. She apprised the meeting that harassment of women and denial of property rights to women were pervasive issues in Pakistan.

According to a statement, appreciating the continued support of the President Dr Arif Alvi, she told the meeting that so far 208 representations against the decisions of FOSPAH had been filed with the President, out of which only 10 were under process with the office of the President while the rest had been decided.

President Alvi underscored the need for taking measures to improve the status of women, provide them employment opportunities and enabling working environment to increase their economic participation.

He said Islam granted property rights to women and it was collective responsibility to give them their due share and create a safer society for them.

The president called for taking appropriate legislative measures at the federal and provincial levels to ensure the protection of women’s property rights, besides discouraging the transfer of property by women to their family members due to pressures.

He said that he was conducting personal hearings of the Ombudspersons’ cases to expedite the process of justice. He stated that highlighting important decisions of FOSPAH in harassment and women’s property cases through media would help increase awareness about the role of the Ombudsman. He said that police at the local level needed to improve their response to women’s complaints in property cases, adding that police officials should be educated about the provisions of the Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act, 2020.

The President urged FOSPAH to further increase its outreach and efficiency to provide speedy justice to women in harassment and property cases at their doorsteps. He also advised FOSPAH to enhance its linkages with NGOs and women’s rights organisations in Pakistan to seek suggestions for improving women’s status.

The President said that providing a harassment-free and enabling environment to women in both the public and private sectors was essential for their economic and social empowerment.

He underlined the need for increased engagements with the business community, particularly the chambers of commerce and industries, to provide employment to women as well as sensitise them about the importance and provisions of the Protection against Harassment at Workplace Act, 2010.

Secretary FOSPAH Arif Karim, advisors and officials of FOSPAH attended the meeting. Ends-

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2024