Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar’s Presentation at the 3rd General Assembly Meeting of the OIC Ombudsman Association held in Istanbul, Turkey

Ms. Fauzia Viqar, Federal Ombudsperson for Harassment attended the 3rd General Assembly Meeting of the OIC Ombudsman Association held in Istanbul, Turkey from 5th-6th October, 2023. The event was attended by 21 Ombudspersons functioning in different OIC States who shared their specific mandates, successes and challenges with the audience. In this regard, Hon’ble Ombudsperson explained the jurisdiction, functions and powers of FOSPAH in respect of cases pertaining to workplace harassment and women’s property rights. She underscored the significance of a specialised body like FOSPAH for dealing with issues faced by women in a country like Pakistan where cultural norms, lack of awareness regarding workplace harassment and low asset ownership of females deprive women of their constitutional, legal and shari rights. In particular, Ms. Viqar appreciated the expedited time periods provided for in the relevant laws that enable FOSPAH to promptly redress women’s grievances in property matters (which must be decided within 60 days of receipt of complaint) and harassment matters (which must be decided within 90 days of receipt of complaint).

Ms. Viqar also apprised the audience regarding the recent beneficial amendments made to the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 wherein the scope of harassment and the definition of employee/employer was expanded to protect even more vulnerable sections of society from all forms of workplace harassment. Ms. Viqar concluded by noting that the path to fully eradicating workplace harassment and achieving the complete realization of women’s property rights in Pakistan is a long one as challenges in the form of deep-seated societal attitudes, constantly changing legal landscape and appeals against interim orders hinder the timely resolution of these serious issues. Sharing by Pakistan was appreciated by other Ombudspersons, many of whom wanted a follow up discussion to better understand the functioning and to explore ways of introducing this mandate within their current functioning.