Balochistan Ombudsperson receives 26 cases of female harassment
Matiullah Khan
QUETTA: The Balochistan Ombudsperson’s office has received 26 cases of female harassment during the last two years. The harassment complaints received from government and private offices, Sabira Islam Advocate, the Balochistan’s female Ombudsperson told Quetta Voice.
“Most of the harassment cases received from education and health departments”, she said. The two departments consist of almost half government employees of Balochistan. “There is a reasonable representation of women in schools and hospitals”, she mentioned.
The Balochistan government had established the office of the female ombudsperson to address the harassment of women on a priority basis. The women’s harassment cases came into the national limelight in the aftermath of the CCTV footage scandal at Balochistan University. The scandal caused an outrage on social media and political parties also staged protest rallies against female students harassment in the university.
“18 harassment complaints addressed so far”, Sabira Islam
“18 harassment complaints addressed so far”, Sabira Islam informed. She said the rest of the harassment complaints were under trial currently. “We have zero-tolerance against harassment of women”, the female ombudsperson mentioned.
In Balochistan, violent acts against women have increased during the year 2020. Women’s rights groups expressed concerned voice over an increase in violence against women.
“Accused fined and punished”, she informed
“In all 18 cases, the accused fined and punished”, she informed. The Balochistan government also adopted the women empowerment bill to empower the women segment of society socially and politically. “This was a right step in the right direction”, Ayesha Wadood, the head of UN-Women Sub-Office in Balochistan said. She said women must enjoy all constitutional rights without fear.
Sabira Islam Advocate also informed that harassment cells also established on the district level to ensure timely redressal of grievances of women in remote areas of Balochistan.
Balochistan Ombudsperson receives 26 cases of female harassment
