The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) organised an awareness session on workplace harassment in line with the mandatory requirements of the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, as amended in 2022, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring safe, dignified and inclusive workplaces across Sindh.
The session was attended by Rajveer Singh Sodha, special assistant to the Sindh chief minister for human rights, as the chief guest. He underscored the Sindh government’s commitment to promoting human dignity and strengthening institutional safeguards against workplace harassment. Addressing the participants, he observed that workplace harassment affected not only female employees but male staff as well. He shared examples of recent cases reported from across Sindh and emphasised that such matters should be resolved at the initial stage through timely intervention before escalating into more serious cases.
Ahmed Luqman Memon, SHRC acting chairperson, welcomed Sodha at the event. He stated that ensuring a harassment-free workplace was not only a statutory obligation but also a fundamental human rights imperative. He emphasised that every institution must strictly comply with the law and establish effective mechanisms to prevent, report and address workplace harassment.
Iqbal Hussain Maitlo, SHRC judicial member, stressed that a formal letter should be sent to the chief secretary recommending the establishment of harassment inquiry committees across all government departments.
The awareness session was conducted by Barrister Rida Tahir who delivered a comprehensive presentation on the legal framework, the rights of employees, the responsibilities of employers, and the complaint redress mechanisms provided under the law.
She observed that many government departments had yet to notify their inquiry committees and highlighted Articles 11, 17, 18, and 25 of the Constitution.
SHRC member Mervyn Francis Lobo highlighted that workplace dignity, equality and mutual respect were not new concerns but constituted a cross-cutting issue that must be continuously addressed through sustained institutional awareness and effective implementation of workplace policies.
The SHRC reiterated its resolve to continue undertaking awareness and capacity-building initiatives aimed at promoting human rights, gender equality and safe working environments in both public and private sector institutions throughout Sindh.
MPA Mohammad Asif Moosa, Mohammad Asif Khan, Nadir Shoukat Rajper, Advocate Mudassar Ali Rajper and Advocate Nida Asghar also attended the meeting.
