Women urged to speak out against rights violation

LAHORE

Majority of working women are involved in labour intensive jobs in the informal sector at home and in the agriculture sector. 

However, even today their path is considered uphill and their battle to pave their own way are challenging. Many earn half the wages as compared to men for the same work and face more problems in terms of gender discrimination, intimidation and most of all sexual harassment.

These views were expressed by speakers at a seminar jointly organised by an NGO and Office of Ombudsperson, Punjab in connection with commemoration of National Working Women Day, here Tuesday, at auditorium of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). Besides large number of working women, several women representatives of civil society organisations, labour unions and government departments, including police department, traffic police, Rescue 1122 and media joined the occasion.

Speaking on this occasion, Women Ombudsperson, Farkhanda Waseem Afzal said it was misleading to call women housewives, in fact they were the house makers and without their contribution real development was not possible. Talking about the law on sexual harassment at workplace, she said that her office was working to ensure harassment-free work environment for women. She urged the working women to speak against the violation of their rights and if they face sexual harassment at workplace, feel free to contact her office.

Bushra Khaliq, Executive Director of an NGO, said that working women were an asset of Pakistan, whether they were working in the formal or informal sector. The state must acknowledge their contribution and resolve the issues they face in their relevant sectors. There are several pro-women laws and policies but there is rare evidence of positive actions on the part of the government to implement these policies. The budget priorities for the women empowerment are real indicator of government sincerity towards women. The government should increase budgetary allocations and must stop cuts on this budget, she added.

Mumtaz Mughal highlighted the issue of limited role of women in decision-making fora and process, which must be increased. The working women still face huge problem during mobility to their workplaces, she pointed out. She said that 25 universities had given grants and important thing about this grant was that universities had been asked to place in measures and mechanisms ensuring students and women protection from sexual harassment.

Sadia Sohail, PTI MPA said, women are the best economic managers, good PROs and good politicians. Their role in reducing corruption is crucial. Women must encourage women to come forward and claim their due space in various sectors.

Salman Abid, Regional head SPO said, development without women participation is impossible. Many women want to come out of the home and work, but the real problem is provision of conducive and harassment-free work environment to women. State must provide social protection to working classes and particularly the women.

Syeda Ghulam Fatima highlighted the plight of the working classes women, particularly those working at kilns and agriculture sector. She stressed the need to do more struggle for the reclamation of rights of these women.