Addressing Workplace Harassment in Pakistan: Building a Safe and Inclusive Environment

• Published in: Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care
• Main Authors: Sannia Perwaiz, Abdul Ahad Chhotani
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College 2024-12-01
• Subjects: sexual harassment; workplace sexual harassment; pakistan.
• Online Access: https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/35621c0b-e059-4de5-8b50-809549922c89.pdf

Globalization has resulted in more women participating in the workforce, but it has also led to an alarming increase in human rights violations. A persistent issue in the modern workplace is harassment. Workplace harassment takes many forms, including verbal abuse, physical assault, discrimination, and sexual misconduct. It creates hostile and offensive experiences for individuals and groups, despite being illegal in many places. This not only hampers productivity and job satisfaction but also harms employees’ mental and physical health. Organizations have a moral and legal duty to address workplace harassment. Organizations should promote awareness of the legal and ethical consequences of sexual harassment through dialogue, leadership support, and accessible resources. Key strategies to combat workplace harassment include clear policies, training, inclusive culture, strong legal frameworks, victim support, monitoring, and collaboration. Implementing these strategies creates safe and thriving workplaces. This article focuses on workplace harassment, particularly sexual harassment against women. It highlights the prevalence of harassment, its various forms, and the challenges women face in addressing it. The article emphasizes the need for societal and governmental recognition to effectively combat workplace harassment. It also explores global and regional prevalence of workplace harassment, its consequences, and strategies for prevention.