80 to 90pc women face harassment’

[LahoreEstate]

Saturday, November 21, 2009
By Our Correspondent

LAHORE

WRITER and development practitioner Dr Fauzia Saeed has said that sexual harassment can take many forms like unwelcome advances and the forcing of sexual attention, verbal or physical, on an unwilling person.

She was speaking at a seminar on “Sexual Harassment and its Legal Remedies” organised by the Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan in the backdrop of the passage of a bill against sexual harassment at a local hotel, a press release said on Friday.

The event was attended by more than 80 individuals, representing NGOs, youth groups, students, political analysts, lawyers and journalists. Dr Fauzia said there were two significant manifestations of sexual harassment in the work environment; one the abuse of authority and second creating a hostile environment. She said that according to some estimates, almost 80 to 90 percent women had to bear sexual harassment in public transport and markets, on roads and recreational spots and in workplaces.

She said the harassment at the workplace took on special significance considering the amount of time an adult spent at the workplace and the spill over effects on career growth, worker productivity, general wellbeing and peace of mind and fundamental rights of workers. Mahnaz Rahman also spoke on the topic.

http://thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=209691