WEB DESK: Harassment is a non-consensual act considered immoral and unethical in Pakistan and all over the world, can be carried out either physically or mentally, and by words or actions.
According to the laws of Pakistan, an individual convicted of the act will be charged with three years of imprisonment or with a fine, or both.
In recent times, harassment cases in Pakistan are over the crest, making it difficult for women to work or mobilize out of their safe boundaries at home.
Women in Pakistan are working tirelessly to make ends meet but workplace harassment is making their life arduous.
Likewise, recently a case was witnessed against a male employee of Faisal Bank, whose video of harassing a female went viral on social media.
An official statement was released by the bank in reference to the incident, strongly condemning indecent act of the individual claiming it as unethical and unprofessional.
Women in Pakistan are experiencing different forms of sexual misconduct in public places, transports, workspaces, and in school, colleges on daily basis.
Politicians are also carrying out sexism against each other regardless of gender.
Recently, few incidents made their way to headlines when politicians cling to this mindset expressing their feelings towards their female opponents.
Sexism is at the highest level of powers but unfortunately, no single party can be held responsible.
Recently, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur passed remarks against Vice-President of PML (N) Maryam Nawaz.
“Maryam is pretty, I admit. But it is so because the previous governments spent millions of rupees from the taxpayers’ money on her skin surgeries”.
Previously, PML (N) leader Talat Chaudhry remained in the public eye when a controversy arose against him and MNA Ayesha Rajab. Chaudhry was convicted of harassing Rajab and was tortured by Ayesha’s brothers.
Likewise, Khawaja Asif came under fire by the opposition for making offensive comments on PTI MNA Shireen Mazari.
Asif pointed towards Mazari and commented, “Someone makes this tractor trolley quiet”.
Mazari expressed her grievances and said: “Told Khawaja Asif if he had any shame or modesty he would know to deal with women… Luckily my voice is louder than his.”
Told Kh Asif if he had any “sharm or haya” he wld know how to deal with women but he was besharam & behaya! Luckily my voice louder than his
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) June 8, 2016
Recently, Marvi Sarmad, a Pakistani Journalist and Human Rights Activist got into hot fire for her latest tweet.
She commented inappropriately on First Lady and Imran Khan in her tweet.
One of those moments when PM wasn’t at the top, and First Lady wasn’t in the room. pic.twitter.com/K8f71Lb8Cb
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) November 8, 2020
The staggering amount of harassment cases in Pakistan are becoming a social stigma and can lead to a mentally disturbed society.