Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar Meets British High Commission Officials to Discuss Harassment Law and Women's Empowerment Initiatives

The Honourable Ombudsperson, Ms. Fauzia Viqar, met with Mr. Ben Warrington, Head of the Lahore Office, British High Commission, and Ms. Reema Salman, Outreach Lead, at FOSPAH's Regional Office, Lahore.

The discussion centred on the 2022 amendment to the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, which extended the law's scope to be gender-neutral and applicable to all genders. Conversations also explored women's empowerment across various sectors of Pakistan, including mobility and economic participation, alongside key initiatives under the Sub-National Governance Programme. The meeting further reflected on the growing public confidence in FOSPAH's grievance redressal mechanism, with a rising number of complaints spanning workplace harassment, bullying, and maladministration, a trend that underscores FOSPAH's standing as an accessible forum for meaningful and effective relief.

The engagement offered a valuable opportunity to exchange perspectives on strengthening institutional mechanisms, promoting inclusive workplaces, and advancing women's participation and empowerment across Pakistan.