Karachi: The Office of the Ombudsman for Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, Sindh, marked National Working Women’s Day with a seminar emphasizing the vital importance of women’s inclusion in national development and the need to ensure safe, secure, and dignified work environments across all sectors.
Addressing the seminar as Chief Guest, the Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Zafar Ahmed Rajput, delivered a strong message in support of women’s rights, underscoring that Pakistan’s economic and social policies cannot be sustainable without the full and meaningful participation of women. He observed that societies which marginalize women are destined for stagnation, stressing that genuine progress is impossible by excluding half of the population.
Speaking on the occasion, the Ombudsman (Mohtasib) Sindh, Shahnawaz Tariq, highlighted the central role of the Ombudsman institution in safeguarding working women against harassment and discrimination. He emphasized that women contribute significantly across all spheres of life and must be provided workplaces that are safe, secure, and respectful of their dignity.
Justice (R) Shahnawaz Tariq noted that the Ombudsman’s Office has undertaken proactive measures to curb workplace harassment through awareness campaigns, capacity-building seminars, and strict enforcement of the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, across both public and private sectors. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to ensuring timely and effective redress for aggrieved women.
In his address, Chief Justice Rajput categorically rejected notions of male superiority, reaffirming that women’s rights are fundamental human rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan. Referring to Article 25, he emphasized that discrimination on the basis of gender is expressly prohibited and that the State is constitutionally obligated to ensure women’s equal participation in all sectors of society. He further observed that societal attitudes play a decisive role in shaping the status of women and stressed that meaningful change must begin at the household level.
During the ceremony, the Ombudsman also acknowledged the services of Muneer Ahmed Channa, Registrar of the Ombudsman’s Office, commending his integrity, dedication, and leadership in enhancing institutional performance within a short span of time. He requested the Hon’ble Chief Justice to present him with a shield of honor in recognition of his contributions.
The event concluded with the presentation of shields and souvenirs to the Chief Guest and distinguished participants, including the Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Hyder Shah, senior police officials, lawmakers, civil society representatives, legal experts, educators, media professionals, and women achievers from diverse fields. The ceremony reflected the Sindh Ombudsman’s continued commitment to advancing women’s rights and promoting dignity and equality in the workplace across the province.
