Sexual Harassment Bill to Provide Full protection to victims: Sherry

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Minister for Women Development Sherry Rehman chaired a consultation meeting with government officials and the members of the civil society to finalise the draft of the ‘Protection from Harassment Act 2008’.

“Harassment at workplace is a very sensitive matter. Any legislation seeking to deal with the issue must incorporate the element of safety as well as ensure maximum assurance of justice to the victim,” said the Women Development Minister talking to the media after the meeting in Islamabad.

Sherry Rehman pointed out that the purpose of her Ministry’s continued consultation with the Civil Society Organisation over the Bill is to ensure that the draft law is clear in its content and there is no room for any lapses to fail its objectives.

“We have broadened the ambit of law, extending it to cover harassment against both women and men. Harassment is a common phenomenon at work, and men could be as much of a target as women are.”

The Federal Information Minister said that her stress on the protection factor in the legislation comes from her own experience of dealing with women who have been victims of gender harassment at workplace.

“A woman finds her career as well as her reputation at stake when she takes an offence to sexual harassment. We want the legislation to provide maximum security to the complainant to encourage her/him to pursue the case at an official level.” She added.




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