Ombudsperson finds varsity VC guilty of ‘workplace harassment’

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment has ruled that sexist and demeaning remarks by those in positions of authority constitute workplace harassment under the law.

In a judgement, Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar found Vice Chancellor (VC) of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology (FUUAST) Dr Zabta Khan Shinwari guilty of workplace harassment for repeatedly making “gender-stereotypical and disparaging” remarks about female faculty members as well as the statement i.e. “When females reach the age of around 35 or above, they experience hormonal issues, and their mental condition becomes unstable, causing them to create problems for others”.

The case was filed by Fazia Akhter, a lecturer in FUUAST’s Department of Computer Science, who accused the VC and department head Dr Muhammad Sheraz of harassing her.

The ombudsperson noted that other harassment allegations against Dr Shinwari and Dr Sheraz could not be substantiated but the accusation regarding Dr Shinwari’s sexist comments about female lecturers was proven. “Such remarks are inherently sexist, derogatory and demeaning, amounting to gender stereotyping and constituting behaviour that can create a hostile work environment,” she declared in the verdict.

The ombudsperson added that remarks such as those attributing women’s workplace behaviour to “hormonal changes” constituted gender stereotyping, which undermines women’s dignity and reinforces discriminatory attitudes. She observed that university heads bore an institutional duty to demonstrate exemplary gender sensitivity, as their words and actions shape the culture of the academic community.

“The conduct of the vice chancellor, consisting of repeated remarks linking women’s professional performance to hormonal changes, constitutes gender-based stereotyping and reflects sexually demeaning behaviour within the meaning of Section 2(h)(i), and also amounts to gender discrimination as defined under Section 2(h)(ii) of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010,” she declared.

The ombudsperson imposed a penalty of censure on the vice chancellor under Section 4(4)(i)(a) of the Act and directed the university syndicate to monitor the VC’s conduct and ensure that such incidents were not repeated. She also ordered FUUAST to reform its institutional culture by establishing a standing inquiry committee, displaying the statutory code of conduct across campuses, and holding regular awareness and sensitisation workshops for staff and students. “Ignorance of gender stereotyping cannot be excused for heads of institutions who are expected to lead by example,” the ombudsperson noted.