Volume 18, No. 3, 2021
Harassment Of Women At Workplace In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan: Causes And Faultiness In The Legal And Institutional Framework
Dr. Hamida , Tabinda Rani , Muhammad Shabir
Abstract
This study was conducted to appraise the curse of women harassment at workplace highlighting the legal and institutional framework adopted by the government to curb it. The study aimed at knowing the causes of different types of women harassment at workplace and the faultiness in legal and institutional framework using primary and secondary data and review of legal publications. The literature was sifted out through desk review of all existing policies, laws and case studies related to sexual harassment at workplace, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Moreover, data was also collected through personal interviews and Structured Questionnaire based surveys from the stakeholders. The findings of the study show that the major causes of women harassment at work place are patriarchal society, under reporting of the cases, office setup and job status, male dominated organizations, and lack of awareness. Besides, the findings also reveal some faultiness in the legal and institutional framework such as: (i) transgender and inter-sex persons are not covered by the law, (ii) lack of clear cut definition of employer and employee, (iii) absence of rules under the law to regulate operating procedures at the Ombudsperson’s Office, (iv) lack of financial and administrative powers of Ombudsperson, (v) lack of organizational setup and infrastructure of Ombudsperson at divisional/district level, (vi) inadequate monitoring and compliance mechanism, (vii) dormant departmental enquiry committees, and (viii) mostly complaints are settled internally, hence, there is no sector-wise database about complaints and their fate. By bridging the gaps identified by this study will help enabling women workforce to contribute to economic growth and development in the province.
Pages: 311-327
Keywords: Women, Harassment, Workplace, Legal Framework, Government.