JAMSHORO: Shaheed Allah Buksh Soomro (SABS) University of Art, Design, and Heritages, Jamshoro, organized a seminar aimed at raising awareness among youth, especially women, about workplace harassment. Organized by the University’s Anti-Harassment Cell, the event was attended by large number of students, faculty and administrative staff.
Regional Head of Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH), Sabiqa Shah, delivered an informative address on the role of FOSPAH in safeguarding women’s rights at workplaces and outlined the process for filing complaints through the online platform established by the organization.
“FOSPAH was founded in 2010 and has worked extensively to facilitate victims of harassment, especially women, ensuring that they receive justice without fear or stigma,” she stated.Emphasizing the importance of awareness, she urged students to stand up against harassment and to educate themselves about their rights at the workplace.She elaborated on the jurisdiction, functions and powers of FOSPAH, particularly in relation to harassment and women’s property rights. She said that many women in Pakistan were deprived of their legal and constitutional rights due to cultural norms, low levels of awareness and lack of asset ownership.
She also informed the audience about recent amendments made to the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010. “These amendments have expanded the definitions of ‘employee’ and ‘employer’, as well as the scope of harassment to include vulnerable sections of society”, she said.
Convener of University’s Anti-Harassment Cell, Ar. Shazia Abro welcomed the guests. The event was attended by registrar Muhammad Suleman Bhutto, members of Anti-Harassment Cell and head of various academic departments.
