Media urged to inform public about sexual harassment

LAHORE: There is a dire need to implement laws against harassment of women at workplace so that they could play their due role in the stream of national development in an effective manner.

This was stated by Aima Mehmood, Executive Director of Working Women Organisation, a non-governmental organisation on the second day of the three-day media training workshop titled ‘Gender and Labour Issues’ held at a local hotel on Wednesday and organised by Intermedia Pakistan.

She said that the state was responsible to protect women who were facing harassment at workplaces while media could play a vital role in raising awareness among women about their rights. She said after passing the law against harassment at workplace, all public and private organisations were bound to constitute a committee to resolve harassment matters and if a victim woman thinks that committee was showing undue favour for accused person(s), then she can submit her application to the office of ombudsman.

Aima urged the journalists to publicise laws against gender equality and sexual harassment to sensitise people about the repercussions of the offence.

Delivering a lecture, Aafia Salam a trainer at Intermedia Pakistan, said that Intermedia Pakistan would launch ‘Journalism excellence awards 2013 for quality reporting on gender and labour issues and journalists can submit their entries till June 30. She said there were four categories of awards and all stories and reports should be focused on gender issues at workplace, case studies and research and reference, facts, figures or statistics relating to gender empowerment for decent employment and references to laws, treaties, and conventions on gender and labour issues.

The workshop will conclude today (Thursday) followed by a certificate distribution ceremony. staff report

Source: Daily Times