QUETTA: Dr Rubaba Khan Buledi, chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Forum, and Uzma Yaqoob, head of the Forum for Dignity Initiatives Pakistan, had a meeting with Sabra Islam, Provincial Ombudsperson for Women, and discussed with her the implementation of anti-harassment laws and protection of women at the workplace.
They discussed steps for provision of legal aid to the affected women, including providing a conducive environment, and offered suggestions for improvement in this regard.
Ms Sabra Islam told the meeting that in order to create a conducive and safe environment in all government and private offices of Balochistan and other workplaces, the code of conduct of the Provincial Women Ombudsman Secretariat had been posted in a prominent place.
She directed that committees be set up for implementation while orders have been issued to the heads of universities to take steps in this regard. Compliance with these orders are being reviewed on a regular basis. She said due to Balochistan tribal traditions, affected women face tough social attitudes and difficulties in litigation under anti-harassment laws.
“However, we do our best to provide all possible legal assistance to the affected women keeping in view their privacy.”
Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2021