The University of Turbat held an awareness seminar on Thursday against harassment of women and to discuss and debate the Protection Against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act of 2016 of the Balochistan Assembly. The seminar was attended by Ombudsperson Balochistan Advocate Sabira Islam, her assistant director Ibrahim Kakar, Dr Gull Hassan and university Vice-Chancellor Jan Muhammad. A large number of faculty members, students and members of the general population, primarily women, attended the seminar.
Addressing the gathering, Advocate Sabira Islam said that there is a lack of awareness among the women about the Protection against Harassment of Women Act of 2016. She said that this awareness also contributes to the rising incidents of violence against women. She said that the women are also afraid of filing complaints against their harassers, particularly in cases of domestic violence.
The Ombudsperson said that making laws is fruitless if they are not effectively implemented. She said that we are all committed to enforce the anti-harassment law and ensuring the protection of women. She also taught the women gathered there, the procedure of filing a complaint to the Ombudsperson Balochistan against harassment.
She also requested the parents to make their daughters aware of the problem of harassment and empower them to take steps to put an end to this practice throughout Balochistan. She said that violence against women cannot be justified and we are committed to ensure the safety of women, especially at the professional level and in workplaces, so that the women can play their due part in uplifting the society.
University Vice-Chancellor Dr Jan Muhamad thanked Ombudsperson Balochistan for organizing the seminar to spread awareness about the harassment of women in workplaces. He said that the University of Turbat will form an anti-harassment committee to investigate harassment cases at the campus. He said that the varsity administration and faculty stand beside the Ombudsperson Balochistan in uprooting this menace from the Baloch society.
He also mentioned the women’s rising interest in education – he said that more girls are taking admission in the university than ever, and the university is also committed to providing all the students safe and inclusive environment.