By: Asim Nawaz
ISLAMABAD: In a significant development, Ms. Fauzia Viqar, the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment at Workplace (FOSPAH), highlighted the organization’s commendable achievements in protecting women’s rights. During a presentation, she emphasized FOSPAH’s role in swiftly delivering justice in cases related to harassment at the workplace and property disputes where women had faced ownership rights deprivation. She was sharing the achievements during President Dr Arif Alvi’s visit to the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat for Protection Against Harassment at Workplace (FOSPAH) Head Office, in Islamabad.
Ms. Viqar revealed that a total of 725 harassment cases were registered with FOSPAH in the year 2023, marking a notable increase. Out of these, an impressive 517 cases had already been successfully decided, showcasing the effectiveness of the organization’s efforts.
The surge in case registrations, according to Ms. Viqar, can be attributed to a heightened awareness campaign regarding FOSPAH’s vital role and functions in addressing issues related to harassment and women’s property rights. During the meeting, she underscored the pervasive nature of harassment against women and the denial of property rights, identifying them as significant challenges in Pakistan.
Ms. Viqar expressed gratitude for the unwavering support extended by President Dr. Arif Alvi. She disclosed that a total of 208 representations against FOSPAH’s decisions had been filed with the President. Remarkably, out of these representations, only 10 remained under review in the President’s office, with the majority having already been decisively resolved. The President’s continued commitment adds momentum to FOSPAH’s mission to ensure a safer and more equitable environment for women in the workplace.