A recent report by the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment has revealed that 5,008 harassment cases were registered between 2018 to 2022. For the past many years, Pakistan has constantly had a poor performance with regard to gender equality. Within the last three years, we have witnessed some of the most gruesome cases of sexual violence across the country. Yet women’s rights activists and groups regularly come under scrutiny and face backlash from different elements. According to the report, 32% of women are victims of violence in gender-based crimes, and 40% of married women also face harassment. When these figures circulate on social media, several male and female users suggest that women should stay indoors and avoid leaving the house without male guardians. But this argument is redundant as girls and women experience physical and sexual abuse within their homes as well. Besides strengthening the law and enacting legislation against different forms of crimes against women, we need to dismantle the mindset that women’s bodies need to be controlled. Much of the harassment and abuse directed towards women stems from the idea that women’s roles are limited to maintaining community honour and upholding cultural values. However, these are patriarchal notions which deem women as inferior or secondary beings. This is why honour killings, domestic violence and subsequent murders, rape and harassment are a persistent problem in Pakistan. In 2019, as many as 1,000 courts were allocated to cater to women’s cases. This coupled with efforts to empower women may have led to an increase in the number of cases reported. But the number of unreported cases is probably much higher. Evidently, Pakistan has a long way to go to improve equality and safety for its female citizens. Perhaps, the relevant stakeholders need to begin by training children and teaching them about equality from a young age.

A senior Pakistani diplomat and Consul General of Pakistan in the Spanish city of Barcelona has been sacked on sexual harassment charges, according to local media. A local staffer of the consulate earlier this month lodged a complaint against Mirza Salman Baig, according to Pakistani publication The Nation. Citing sources, The Nation reported on August 11 that the name of the staffer, which is not being disclosed, lodged the complaint with Pakistan Ambassador Shujat Rathore in Madrid, who later referred the matter to the Foreign Office in Islamabad for further investigation. As per the publication, the Foreign Ministry sent a two-member team to Barcelona and Madrid to probe the case. They completed the investigation, on the basis of which the Foreign Office removed the officer from his position and recalled him to the headquarters in Islamabad. According to the publication, the complainant in her complaint alleged that the counsel general used to send her messages through social media, which, she claimed, were harassment. Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has cancelled his Europe visit on Monday due to massive flooding in Sindh. His European trip was to strengthen relations with Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The Express Tribune reported that Bilawal was scheduled to fly to Germany on Monday on the first leg of his first tour of the EU countries since assuming office. A revised schedule with the same itinerary will be announced soon, a source in the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) said, as per the publication. The decision to postpone the trip came a day after two more districts in Sindh were declared “calamity-hit”, taking the total to 13 following catastrophic rains and flooding, The Express Tribune reported.   Source: ANI  

A prominent human rights group in Pakistan has called for a probe into the allegations of harassment against former National Accountability Bureau (NAB) head retired Justice Javed Iqbal. Tayyaba Gull, whose controversial video with the former NAB chairman had surfaced in 2019, alleged that NAB officials stripped her naked, made videos and filed cases, when she refused to comply with Iqbal’s “demands”. “I was stripped naked and videos were made,” Gull was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. Her throat felt swollen and she stuttered before adding: “I was taken to a room, cameras were installed, officials conducted frisking, stripped me naked, laughed at me and my videos were made.” In a statement, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said it took “serious note of the allegations of sexual harassment” levelled against the official, who was also chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED). “The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) takes serious note of the allegation of sexual harassment against Justice (Retired) Javed Iqbal–chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances (COIED) and former chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB)–as well as other NAB officials,” the HRCP said in a statement. The group raised grave concern over these allegations levelled by a woman who had approached Justice (Retired) Iqbal in his capacity as COIED chairman–a position in which he was responsible for protecting Gul’s testimony and securing her right to seek justice for a missing relative. Not only has Justice (Retired) Iqbal allegedly abused his office in two capacities, but he has also failed to appear before the Public Accounts Committee to answer these charges, the group said. According to HRCP, the allegations against him and other public officials must be investigated with transparency and independence, and he should be removed from office if these allegations are proven. Noor Alam Khan, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) Chairman, has urged Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to remove or suspend Javed Iqbal as head of the commission on missing persons, following allegations he harassed innocent women. On Thursday, Noor Khan assured the victim that he would ensure justice in the case, adding that he would call the NAB and police officials as the “misuse of authority” was evident. Source: ANI

The Supreme Court of Pakistan has asked three senior officials to appear before it on Aug 26 to hear the government’s version on the rising incidents of harassment of journalists. The three officials are: the interior secretary, the Federal Investigation Agency’s director general and the Islamabad police inspector general. The court issued the directives in response to a four-page petition complaining that journalists were facing increasing acts of intimidation at the hands of security agencies. The court regretted that the FIA appeared to have overstepped its mandate and undermined the nation’s confidence in the judiciary. A two-judge SC bench, consisting of Justice Qazi Faez Isa and Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhel, also issued notices to the secretaries of information and broadcasting, religious affairs and human rights ministries as well as to the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), asking them to state whether the allegations made in the application were correct or not. The apex court took up the matter after Abdul Qayyum Siddiqui, a former president of the Press Association of the Supreme Court (PAS), drew its attention to the rising incidents of harassment of journalists. The court observed that since the application had raised matters of public importance with reference to the enforcement of fundamental rights, it met the criteria for invoking Article 184(3) of the Constitution.. Moreover, the Supreme Court observed, if the allegations were true it would be a grave transgression of the Constitution requiring urgent redress. The court issued notices to the heads of the Pakistan Television Corporation (PTC) and the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC), asking them to reply in writing whether they uphold the fundamental right of a free press and comply with different judgements in this regard. Attorney General Khalid Jawed Khan and the advocates general of the four provinces and Islamabad Capital Territory were issued notices under the Code of Civil Procedure. According to the order, journalists were being harassed, intimidated, attacked and shot at. “There are no consequences for the perpetrators and those who should be protecting journalists and ensuring freedom of the press are themselves involved.” The court’s order made a reference to a press release issued by the FIA stating that criminal cases had been registered against some journalists because they reported against the judiciary. But the press release did not disclose what was said against the judiciary. “The press release creates an impression as if criminal cases were registered at the behest of the judiciary, and in doing so it portrays the judiciary to be inimical to the guaranteed fundamental right of a free press,” the order regretted. “The FIA appears to have overstepped its mandate and to have undermined the people’s confidence in the judiciary, the guarantor of fundamental rights.” Such tactics could undermine the respect, regard and confidence of the people in the judiciary and send an impression as if the judiciary stands with the FIA, the order said. The court asked the FIA director general, “without whose authorisation the press release could not have been issued and who has not retracted it”, to disclose who authorised the issuance of the press release and to explain why had he allowed its issuance, especially since it made mention of the judiciary. He should explain why he did not withdraw the press release if it was issued without his consent, the Supreme Court added. The court ordered submission of a list of cases filed against journalists. The list should specify the actual content — a transcript of the text which constituted an offence in FIA’s eyes. Right to pursue any career The order went on to say that the application complains journalists were not allowed to work freely and pursue their careers, which was a violation of Article 18 as it guarantees right to pursue any lawful ‘profession or occupation’. Therefore, if a media house is pressed to sack any journalist because of that individual’s independent reporting, it appears to violate the provision, the court added. The Pemra chairman was asked to submit a written reply disclosing action taken against the media houses which resorted to such tactics. The frequent attacks on journalists and their abduction, including in the federal capital territory, are another violation of fundamental rights raised in the application. The Constitution’s Article 9 guarantees the right to liberty and Article 10 is a safeguard against illegal arrests and detention. This issue becomes a matter of concern when the perpetrators are not arrested and, all the more so, when it happens under cameras of the Safe City Project in Islamabad, the court observed. “Inability in this regard may suggest incompetence, which may constitute dereliction of duty, or far worse, abetment, which is an offence.” Therefore, notices be issued to the Islamabad IG and the interior ministry to submit written replies listing the number of attacks on journalists, the progress made in the investigation of FIRs, and whether the recordings from cameras of the Safe City Project were used to trace out the perpetrators, the order said. It called upon the authorities concerned to disclose the amount spent on the project. Allegations have been made that if a media house or television channel agrees to project a particular political narrative and suppress a contrary one, it gets financial benefits. It amounts to misuse of taxpayers’ money as such organisations are given advertisements and other incentives from the public exchequer, the Supreme Court observed. Therefore, notice be issued to the information ministry to specify the amounts paid on account of advertisements during the last financial year and the criteria used in determining the beneficiaries. Other benefits that may have been given, including foreign trips, be disclosed, the order said. The court asked the information secretary to disclose the ministry’s annual budget and the work it does. The order observed that Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had once said that a vibrant press was indispensable to a nation since it exposed wrongdoing and highlighted public grievances. Recent surveys point out that press freedom in the country is at an abysmal level, the order recalled. Propagating the truth is an obligation stipulated in the Holy Quran. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated that to speak out against injustice and tyranny constitutes “Jihad-i-Akbar” (greater jihad). The Supreme Court issued a notice to the religious affairs ministry, asking it whether it had done anything to ensure that publication and broadcast of the truth were encouraged. Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2021  

An estimated 22.4 percent female readymade garment (RMG) workers face sexual harassment at factories, a study by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) finds. MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said the study was conducted at 22 factories in Dhaka and Chattogram between March and May last year. Speaking as the chief guest at the event held at the Jatiya Press Club, Shirin Akther, MP said girls are victims of sexual harassment at education institutions, too. She urged the authorities concerned to be more conscious in this regard. President of Karmajibi Nari Dr Pratima Paul Majumder said awareness is the most important tool to curb sexual violence at education institutions and the workplace. “The rate of sexual harassment will go down when there’ll be a good relationship between the workers and factory owners,” she said. The study identified a culture of impunity, inaction and nonchalant attitude of authorities towards sexual harassment as some of the key reasons for this workplace menace. The majority of male and female respondents said women fall victims to sexual harassment as they are weak and do not protest. But 21 percent male and seven percent female respondents were of the opinion that women become victims to sexual harassment because of their dresses. Ylva Sahlstrand, second secretary of Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, said the female workers need to be conscious at workplaces. “Education can create the awareness,” she said. “Anti-sexual committees must support female workers. Factories owners, management and trade unions should come forward in this regard. Besides, social dialogue is also needed here,” Sahlstrand added. Source: UNB AH

An attempt was made to kill an Alim examinee by setting on fire at Sonagazi upazila in Feni district. Allegation came in that classmates of the student attempted to kill the student as she lodged complain of sexual harassment against the principal. The incident took place on the roof of Sonagazi Islamia Senior Fazil Madrasa center just before beginning of the examination on Saturday morning. Noman, elder brother of the student told Rtv online, my sister went to the madrasa center in the morning to take part in the Alim examination. At around 9:30 am some loyal students of the principal took my sister on the roof of the madrasa, set fire on her and fled away. Later students, other teachers and locals rescued her and brought her to Sonagazi health complex at first and later to Feni sadar hospital. There the on duty physician referred her to the Burn Unit of Dhaka Medical College Hospital for better treatment. Resident Medical Officer of Sonagazi health complex Dr. Nurul Alam said, as condition of the female student was critical so she was sent to district sadar hospital for better treatment. Resident Medical Officer of Feni sadar hospital Dr. Abu Taher said, 70 to 80 percent of the female student's body was burnt. After primary treatment she was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Officer in Charge of Sonagazi model police station said that he heard about the incident. Earlier mother of the female student lodged a case. Action will be taken after investigation in this regard. Earlier on March 27 police detained principal Maulana Siraj Uddoula over allegation of sexual harassment to the female student by calling her at his office room at the madrasa. After the incident a group of students staged demonstration and formed human chain demanding release of the principal. On the other hand another group of students formed human chain demanding punishment for the principal. In this connection mother of the female student Shirin Akter filed a case with Sonagazi model police station. AH   

Unicef on Tuesday called for concerted action to tackle and prevent violence against children and young people online in Bangladesh where the internet population has witnessed 800 times growth since 2000. On the Safer Internet Day, Unicef warned of the dangers posed by online violence, cyberbullying and digital harassment for the 32 percent children aged 10 to 17 years in the country. The call came after a recent Unicef poll of young people and suggestions from a series of student-led #ENDviolence Youth Talks held around the world. Reports UNB. A Unicef Bangladesh commissioned study titled ‘Online Safety of Children in Bangladesh’ said the country’s online population was getting younger with children as young as 11 using the internet daily. It surveyed 1,281 children (aged 10 to 17) from schools, colleges, and madrasahs who use internet and found that 25 percent of them (aged 10-17) started accessing the digital world below the age of 11. In Bangladesh, boys (63%) are ahead of girls (48%) in terms of high frequency online access and use. Ten percent had been exposed to religiously provocative content but those aged between 16 and17 had been exposed to such contents more than other groups of children. The use of private rooms as primary internet usage point by 63 percent surveyed children indicates the prevalence of less supervised internet use, the report noted. Chatting and watching videos were found to be the two most frequent internet activities, with 33 percent chatting online and 30 percent watching videos daily. Shockingly, the study revealed that 70 percent boys and 44 percent girls admitted to befriending unknown people online. A number of the respondents said they had met the online ‘friends’ in person, risking their safety. “We’ve heard from children and young people from Bangladesh and around the world and what they are saying is clear: The Internet has become a kindness desert,” said Edouard Beigbeder, the Unicef Bangladesh representative. “That’s why this Safer Internet Day, Unicef is following young people’s lead and inviting everyone to be kind online, and calling for greater action to make the Internet a safer place for everyone, especially children.” ‘Tip the balance for good’ Older children may be more exposed to cyberbullying than younger ones but children, in general, are not immune from harmful content, sexual exploitation and abuse. Cyberbullying can cause profound harm as it can quickly reach a wide audience, and can remain accessible online indefinitely – virtually ‘following’ its victims online for life. Victims of cyberbullying are more likely to use alcohol and drugs and skip school than other students. They also are more likely to receive poor grades and experience low self-esteem and health problems. In extreme situations, cyberbullying has even led to suicide. “Thirty years after the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the creation of the World Wide Web, it is time for governments, families, academia and, critically, the private sector to put children and young people at the centre of digital policies," said Beigbeder. “By protecting them from the worst the Internet has to offer and expanding access to its best, we can each help tip the balance for good.” AH

United Nations children affairs organization UNICEF has said that 13 percent children and teen agers of the country are being victimized of harassment in the social media. Even 3.3 percent children have closed their social media account due to harassment. This survey was published at the inaugural session of yearlong mass awareness program organized to make internet safe for children. UNICEF Bangladesh Communication Manager AM Shakil Fayezullah upheld the survey report. UNICEF and Facebook jointly organized the program held at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Novo Theater in the capital on Friday. The survey report said, a major portion of internet users are under 18 years old. UNICEF conducted a survey three weeks earlier to know about their security while using internet and about their condition. This online based survey reached at more than nine lakh children and teen agers and 11 thousand 821 children took part in the survey aged between 13 years to 18. The UNICEF survey said, 81.2 percent children and teen agers spend times in social media every day. 90 percent of them use internet on mobile phones. 80.1 percent children and teen agers were not victims in any kind of harassment. 52.3 percent children have said that they want to be friends with unknown people and 33.9 percent children have said that they will not be. 67.4 percent children have said they use internet to learn. 21.4 percent children have said they use it to make friends. In the program as the chief guest State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak said, we want that children will use tab, use internet. But they would use it in a safe way. Internet should be used as knowledge house. Guardians should be alert so that the children may not fall in any kind of risk. In the program Facebook India and South Asia policy program manager Shruti Moggi, UNICEF Bangladesh representative Adward Begbether and others were also present. AH           

Dhaka University authorities have rusticated 12 students for different periods due to beating another student and objectionable comments towards female friends on social media. Thursday night in a news release the Director of University Public Relations Office Dr. Nur-e-Islam officially reported this. Though it was informed officially on Thursday, the decision was taken at the Dhaka University Syndicate Meeting on February 27. The press release said that on 6 February night, due to being directly involved in beating up Ehsan Rafiq, second year student of the Department of Disaster Science and Management and due to obstructing the discipline of the university, non-student like behavior and obstructing the normal environment of education other seven students were rusticated for different terms. Among them Omar Faroque being involved in the attack (second year student of Marketing Department) has been permanently rusticated from the university. Besides, five people have been permanently rusticated from the hall and for two years from the university. Students rusticated for two years are: Samiul Islam Sami (Sociology Department, second year), Ahsan Ullah (Philosophy, second year), Mohammad Ruhul Amin Bepari (Journalism Department, second year), Md. Mehdi Hassan Himel (Urdu Department, second year) and Faradin Ahmed (Public Administration Department, second year). Being guilty of provoking the attack, Ariful Islam (Institute of Education and Research, fourth year) has been rusticated from the University for a year and permanently from the Hall. Besides, for sexual harassment against some female students of Dhaka University Pali and Buddhist Studies Department, University Syndicate rusticated same department’s students Hazrat Ali (2nd year), Azharul Islam (2nd year), Ashikur Rahman (2nd year), Mostakim Mamun Alpial (2nd year), Rahad Ahmed (2nd year) from university for two years. AH

In the country 90 percent children are being victims of sexual harassment. Of them 83 percent are oppressed by the close relatives. The information came through a report of ‘Ground Zero’-an organization working with the children. The research survey titled ‘For Safe Childhood’ said that 30 percent children from class three and four are the victims of sexual harassment. The rate of repression rises to 90 percent as soon as the students are promoted to class five. The incidents occurred by the close relatives and known persons to the children. The organization conducted the survey over 6 hundred children of 10 schools in Dhaka and Satkhira. Of those there were two special schools. Coordinator of Ground Zero Iffat Jahan Tushar said to Rtv online, the experience that we have gathered while doing work with sexual harassment over children is terrible. Known persons and close relatives are conducting such kind of behavior with the children. As a result the children understand the bad caress but cannot protest. One of the main Coordinators of the research survey Rifah Sharmili Badhan said, parents, teachers and relatives do not make open discussion with the children. For this, risk of sexual repression increases. Parents should listen to their offspring as a friend. This will create major opportunity for children to be safe.  National Human Rights Commission Chairman Kazi Riazul Haque said over the matter, children of our country are not safe even in homes. Family members are also being associated with the list of sexual repressors. Though child protection law is formulated but it cannot make any effective role. This human rights activist held social discrimination responsible for these types of incidents.   AH