The Constitution of Pakistan, 1973, upholds the fundamental rights of its citizens, including the right to personal dignity. To support these rights, especially for women in the workplace, the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010 (Act IV of 2010) was enacted through Senate of Pakistan.
The primary objective of the Act is to create a safe and harassment-free working environment for women, enabling them to work with dignity and without fear of abuse or intimidation. This is in line with the Constitution’s principles of equal opportunity and the right to earn a livelihood without discrimination. The Act emphasizes the inviolability of dignity and the right to be free from inhuman, abusive, and degrading treatment at work, applicable to all genders.
To enforce this Act, the government of Sindh established the Office of the Ombudsman in July 2012 under Section 7 of the Act. This office plays a critical role in addressing and resolving complaints related to workplace harassment, ensuring a safer and more respectful working environment for all.
