SWAT: A research report reveals that working women in Swat face devastating consequences of persistent discrimination across multiple sectors of society.

A group of human rights activists shared the report on working women harassment conducted by Gul Naz, a social activist, during a meeting here on Sunday.

The study examined 10 distinct cases, and paints a stark picture of the challenges women face in educational institutions, workplaces, public spaces, and even within their own communities.

From educational settings to business environments, women consistently encounter barriers that threaten their professional advancement and personal dignity. One particularly alarming case involves Maryam, a dedicated teacher with six years of service, who was unfairly expelled after resisting her principal’s ‘unethical’ intentions, the study shows.

HR activists call for an environment that respects women’s dignity, safety

Similarly, it states Ms Anmol was forced to resign after experiencing predatory behaviour from her school’s principal, highlighting the vulnerability of women in professional settings where power dynamics were unbalanced.

The study shows that the psychological impact of sustained harassment emerged as a critical concern. “A girl, Summaya, endured harassment in her office for 14 months, developed significant mental health issues, including anxiety, sleep disturbances, and was eventually diagnosed with adjustment disorder,” the study shows.

Another case study of a girl, Zahida, illustrated her trauma. Despite her professional skills, she became emotionally withdrawn after experiencing relentless workplace harassment, demonstrating how such experiences can fundamentally erode an individual’s confidence and sense of self-worth.

The study also exposed systemic gaps in protecting women’s rights. Kainat, a young woman from Bandai village, exemplified the challenge of seeking justice when perpetrators wield social or economic influence. “Kainat who was harassed in a hospital during her duty by health officials complained about it to her boss, but it was dismissed by him,” the report says.

An even more disturbing case involved Faiza, a young woman from Kanju village, who was arrested while advocating for her rights, and subsequently faced sexual exploitation attempts by law enforcement, a grave misuse of institutional power.

The study underscored broader societal implications of harassment contributing to economic losses through women’s workforce withdrawal, significant mental health challenges, perpetuation of gender inequality and erosion of social participation and opportunities.

The report also advocates for comprehensive, multi-stakeholder interventions: “The government should implement stringent anti-harassment legislation, establish independent oversight mechanisms and conduct nationwide awareness campaigns.” The report called for community engagement to promote bystander intervention training, create robust support networks and provide counseling and legal assistance.

The study further discussed women’s empowerment by women rights education, mentorship programmes and platforms for sharing experiences and advocacy.

Speaking on the occasion, Gul Naz, the study’s author, said that the case studies revealed that harassment was not isolated incidents but a systemic issue requiring collective action. “Addressing these challenges demands commitment from government institutions, community leaders, and individual citizens to create environments that genuinely respect women’s dignity, safety, and equal opportunities.”

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2024