ISLAMABAD, Nov 11: The Alliance Against Sexual Harassment, a coalition of nine civil society organisations, has hailed government’s decision of owning the code of conduct for gender justice at the workplaces and presenting it in cabinet for the approval.

The code developed by the alliance provides guidelines for employers to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for both male and female employees.

Objective of the code is to create a working environment for the employees that is free of sexual harassment, abuse and intimidation.

Talking to mediapersons at an informal gathering here on Tuesday director of the alliance Dr Fouzia Saeed said harassment and insecurity at the workplace was not only a source of panic for women, it also adversely affects the overall efficiency of work and reputation and the progress of the organisation.

This code has been specifically designed to ensure a working environment where men and women can work with safety and dignity, she said, adding that harassment affected all who suffer it.

There are evidences that males are subjected to odd treatments too but in most of the cases women face hostile working environment and are subjected to offensive behaviors patterns by their male colleagues, she added.

Many women leave their professions due to such conduct of bosses and male colleagues, she said, adding that implementation of a code of conduct could solve the problem.

The code was prepared six years ago by the alliance and about 300 organisations have adopted the code, she said. Each of these organisations has constituted a three-member committee to deal with harassment cases.

“Formulation of a three-member committee comprising one female from within the organisation, one employee and one management representative in each organisation was the procedure proposed in the code, making it a

self-regulatory mechanism,” she said.