KU holds panel discussion on rising harassment cases in academic institutions

The University of Karachi’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences hosted a panel discussion on Monday to address the alarming rise in harassment cases across academic institutions.

The session was held at the Chinese Teachers Memorial Auditorium. Prominent speakers included veteran journalist Lubna Jarrar Naqvi, Mehnaz Rehman of the Aurat Foundation, and Dr Shahrukh Shahnawaz Advocate of the Sindh High Court. The panel focused on the legal, social, and psychological dimensions of harassment, particularly within educational settings.

The speakers emphasised that harassment in academic environments was a growing issue that required immediate and collective attention. Naqvi highlighted the media's role in shaping public perception and warned against how social media could normalise inappropriate behaviour, often without accountability.

Rehman spoke about the historical context of violence and the deep-rooted psychological trauma faced by victims. She stressed the need for society to stop blaming victims and instead create supportive environments for survivors to speak up. Dr Shahnawaz provide insight into existing gender-based violence laws, stating that harassment couod occur both within and outside the home and that both men and women could be victims. He also underlined the importance of legal awareness among students and educators.

Professor Dr Shaista Tabassum, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said the main objective of the event was to raise awareness among students about their rights and the laws protecting them from harassment. She added that one of the most impactful elements of the session was the open forum, where students actively participated and raised several thought-provoking questions.

The event saw a large turnout of students and faculty members, reflecting strong interest in tackling the issue and fostering a safer academic environment.