A 2009 research conducted by ‘Alliance Against Sexual Harassment’ (AASHA) highlighted how almost 93% of women confront different forms of sexual harassment at their workplace.
Workplace harassment can take place in pretty much any form. It could be in the form of unwanted advances, physically inappropriate behavior or mental torture. Unfortunately, due to its high prevalence in Pakistan, numerous working women have been targets of workplace harassment. Some speak up and are silenced. Others choose to remain silent, to begin with.
However, one victim of workplace harassment is speaking up through a post that has gone viral on social media
The post, that originally began circulating on Facebook found its way to Twitter. Shmyla Khan, in her tweets, talks about her friend’s plight
A dear friend talks about her workplace harassment at the hands of a lawyer from a prominent family.
Please share and boycott this person. pic.twitter.com/IkGvYUZSkX
— Shmyla Khan (@shmyla) July 16, 2017
The posts mention how the victim joined the legal profession four years ago. She talks about actively preparing to avoid becoming a target of workplace harassment
However, she could not evade the harassment and eventually left the law firm, only to be name-called by the harasser
A screenshot of the conversation was also shared by the victim to prove her point
Therefore, she decided to break her silence on the matter
In a series of tweets, Shmyla requested people to lend her friend support and solidarity
It's really difficult to talk about harassment because the legal fraternity tends to protect one another.So lend her ur support & solidarity
— Shmyla Khan (@shmyla) July 16, 2017
She also urged people to support those who have started speaking out
Let's attach a social cost to harassment. Disassociate yourself from harassers and support people who speak out!
— Shmyla Khan (@shmyla) July 16, 2017
Nighat Dad – lawyer, activist, and founder of Digital Rights Foundation – also weighed in on the topic
Men employers who harass women need to understand that women who smile or wear makeup doesn’t mean that they are asking for harassment. https://t.co/F4xmlxXC4v
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) July 16, 2017
Some people suggested ways for the victim to seek help
Should file a Complaint before the Ombudsperson for Protection of Women against Harassment at Workplace
— Haider Imtiaz (@mhaiderimtiaz) July 16, 2017
While others decided to weigh in with legal implications of the matter
PPC accords protection for just this. The exact section evades me at the moment but under PPC the actions and words
— Yousaf Amanat (@amanat_lawyer) July 16, 2017
However, some people voiced the rage that found its way into the hearts of those who read the post
Yar asy loogo ko sab ka smany Nanga karna chya. Men like him really need some lesson.
— Abid Khan Wazir (@DarweshKhal) July 16, 2017
Workplace harassment is evidently not an uncommon phenomenon.
You hear about it all the time. Fathers don’t want their daughters doing bank ki naukris because of it. Mothers tell their daughters to be careful of what they wear to prevent workplace harassment. However, somehow, women seem to bear the brunt of it. Whether it’s by staying at home or by changing the way they dress – everyone seems to hold women accountable. Perhaps, it’s time we pointed fingers in the right direction. Maybe, it’s finally time to start holding men accountable for their actions, instead of resorting to victim blaming, as per usual.
What is your take on this? Let us know in the comments below.