SPEAK OUT

SPEAK OUT "Break the Silence, Embrace Your Voice"
Our campaign, Speak Out, is dedicated to empowering women and creating a safer environment for all.

As per research published by the Aurat Foundation, a shocking 90% of Pakistani women have experienced harassment in publ...
07/06/2024

As per research published by the Aurat Foundation, a shocking 90% of Pakistani women have experienced harassment in public places. The situation is equally terrible for colleges and universities. According to a Pakistan Bureau of Statistics poll, 63% of female students in Islamabad, Karachi, and Lahore said they have encountered harassment at a university. Harassment at work is an important concern, as demonstrated by a Federal Ombudsman Secretariat survey that found 54% of Pakistani women have faced it in their line of work.

One of Pakistan's biggest and most populated cities, Karachi, deals with a high rate of harassment against women.
From catcalling on the streets to inappropriate behaviour within educational institutions and workplaces, women in Karachi often find themselves navigating hostile environments. The Aurat Foundation's report highlighted that 72% of women in Karachi have experienced harassment in public spaces.
Despite its rich cultural legacy, Lahore is not spared from the epidemic of harassment. Harassment against women is nevertheless sustained by deeply ingrained cultural practices, despite efforts to promote gender equality. According to a Pakistan Bureau of Statistics survey, 68% of female students in Lahore reported experiencing harassment in educational settings.
Even in Islamabad, the nation's capital, women still struggle immensely to prevent harassment. When it comes to protecting women's safety and security, Islamabad has its problems even if it is thought to be more liberal compared to other regions of Pakistan.

Protecting women in Pakistan requires a multi-faceted approach that combines legal action, education, community support,...
07/06/2024

Protecting women in Pakistan requires a multi-faceted approach that combines legal action, education, community support, and technological innovation.
By adopting these strategies and embracing the ethos of our campaign, "Speak Out" – "Break the Silence, Embrace Your Voice" and "Don't Hide, Speak Out" – we can create a safer and more equitable environment for women. Let’s work together to ensure that every woman in Pakistan feels empowered to speak out and claim her rights.

According to a poll conducted by the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat, 58% of women in Islamabad acknowledged having been h...
07/06/2024

According to a poll conducted by the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat, 58% of women in Islamabad acknowledged having been harassed at work.

Although the numbers present a sad picture, each one also tells the story of a woman who kept fighting and survived. Speak Out encourages the development of women the confidence to speak up and own their voices. Through offering spaces for women to discuss their experiences and look for support, Speak Out aims to encourage a culture of responsibility and unity.

It is no longer possible to ignore the problem of harassment of women in Pakistani workplaces and colleges. Society must...
06/06/2024

It is no longer possible to ignore the problem of harassment of women in Pakistani workplaces and colleges. Society must recognise and deal with this common problem as a whole. We can build safer and more welcoming situations where women can pursue their goals without worrying about harassment or discrimination by raising awareness, educating people, and advocating for change. Let us join hands to break the silence and empower women to embrace their voices.

Remember, speaking out is not just an act of courage; it's a catalyst for change.

The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act (2010) and the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violen...
06/06/2024

The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act (2010) and the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act (2016) are significant legislative measures to safeguard women.
While Pakistan has made strides in addressing women's harassment through legislation and advocacy, significant challenges remain. A collective effort involving government authorities, civil society, and the general public is essential to create a safer and more equitable environment for women. Education, legal enforcement, and cultural change are key to this ongoing struggle.

Protecting women in Pakistan is not just a matter of enacting laws; it requires a comprehensive approach that includes s...
06/06/2024

Protecting women in Pakistan is not just a matter of enacting laws; it requires a comprehensive approach that includes societal change, legal enforcement, and community support. Our campaign, "Speak Out," aims to empower women and create a safer environment for them. This blog explores practical steps and strategies to protect women in Pakistan and amplify their voices.

Strengthening Legal Frameworks:
Robust legal protections are crucial in safeguarding women’s rights. Key steps include:
Enforcing Existing Laws: Ensure strict enforcement of laws like the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act (2010) and the Punjab Protection of Women Against Violence Act (2016).
Introducing New Legislation: Advocate for new laws that address emerging forms of harassment and violence, including cyber harassment.
Training Law Enforcement: Conduct regular training for police and judiciary to sensitively handle cases involving women and ensure swift justice.

Promoting Education and Awareness
Education is a powerful tool in changing societal attitudes and empowering women:

Awareness Campaigns: Launch nationwide awareness campaigns to educate the public about women's rights and the importance of gender equality.

School Programs: Integrate gender studies and women’s rights into school curriculums to educate the younger generation.

Community Workshops: Organize workshops in local communities to inform women about their rights and available resources.

Supporting Victims:
Providing support systems for victims of harassment and violence is essential:

Helplines and Counseling Services: Establish and promote helplines and counselling services where women can seek help anonymously and safely.

Women's rights in Pakistan are supported by various constitutional provisions designed to ensure their equality and prot...
06/06/2024

Women's rights in Pakistan are supported by various constitutional provisions designed to ensure their equality and protection. Despite these legal safeguards, challenges remain in their implementation. In this blog, we will explore the constitutional protections for women in Pakistan, their significance, and the hurdles faced in actualizing these rights.

Constitutional Provisions
The 1973 Constitution of Pakistan contains several key articles aimed at promoting and protecting women's rights:

Article 25 (Equality of Citizens): This article guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on s*x, stating, "There shall be no discrimination on the basis of s*x alone."

Article 26 (Non-discrimination in Respect of Access to Public Places):
Ensures equal access to public places and facilities for all citizens, without discrimination based on s*x.

Article 27 (Safeguard Against Discrimination in Services):
Prohibits s*x-based discrimination in state appointments and services, promoting gender equality in employment.

Article 34 (Full Participation of Women in National Life):
Mandates the state to ensure women’s full participation in all spheres of national life.

Article 35 (Protection of Family, Mother, and Child):
Obligates the state to protect the marriage, family, mother, and child, emphasizing the state's role in women's welfare.

Article 37(e) (Promotion of Social Justice and Eradication of Social Evils):
Stresses the state's responsibility to secure humane working conditions for women, ensuring maternity benefits and family well-being.

Women's harassment is a pervasive issue in Pakistan, affecting individuals across various sectors and walks of life. Des...
05/06/2024

Women's harassment is a pervasive issue in Pakistan, affecting individuals across various sectors and walks of life. Despite efforts to combat this social malady, harassment remains deeply entrenched in the country's societal fabric, reflecting broader issues of gender inequality and cultural norms. This article explores the nature of harassment faced by women in Pakistan, its causes, and the steps being taken to address it.
Harassment in Pakistan manifests in multiple forms, including street harassment, workplace harassment, domestic abuse, and online harassment. Public spaces, in particular, can be fraught with danger for women, who often face catcalling, groping, and other forms of verbal and physical abuse. A 2018 survey by the Thomson Reuters Foundation ranked Pakistan as the sixth most dangerous country for women, underscoring the severity of the problem.
Several factors contribute to the widespread harassment of women in Pakistan:
Patriarchal Society:
Deep-rooted patriarchal norms dictate the subordinate status of women, often limiting their freedom and subjecting them to male dominance.
Cultural Norms:
Traditional beliefs and practices sometimes justify or trivialize harassment, making it difficult for victims to seek justice.
Lack of Awareness and Education: Many individuals, both men and women, are not adequately educated about gender equality and women's rights.
Weak Legal Enforcement:
Despite existing laws, enforcement remains lax, and many cases go unreported due to fear of social stigma and retaliation.

"Break the Silence, Embrace Your Voice" – Our campaign, Speak Out, is dedicated to empowering women and creating a safer...
05/06/2024

"Break the Silence, Embrace Your Voice" – Our campaign, Speak Out, is dedicated to empowering women and creating a safer environment for all. Harassment can leave deep emotional scars, often leading to depression, anxiety, and a sense of isolation. It's time to stand together, support each other, and raise our voices against injustice. If you or someone you know is struggling, don't hide – speak out. Together, we can make a difference.

In a society which often considers it challenging to recognise and address the common problem of harassment, Pakistani w...
05/06/2024

In a society which often considers it challenging to recognise and address the common problem of harassment, Pakistani women face many kinds of difficulties in both the working and educational environments. Major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad serve as small examples of this overall problem of society. This blog aims to throw light on the alarming statistics and personal tales of women who experience harassment in these sorts of circumstances along with Speak Out.

According to a poll conducted by the Federal Ombudsman Secretariat, 58% of women in Islamabad acknowledged having been harassed at work.
Although the numbers present a sad picture, each one also tells the story of a woman who kept fighting and survived. Speak Out encourages the development of women the confidence to speak up and own their voices. Through offering spaces for women to discuss their experiences and look for support, Speak Out aims to encourage a culture of responsibility and unity.
It is no longer possible to ignore the problem of harassment of women in Pakistani workplaces and colleges. Society must recognise and deal with this common problem as a whole. We can build safer and more welcoming situations where women are free to pursue their goals without worrying about harassment or discrimination by raising awareness, educating people, and advocating for change. Let us join hands to break the silence and empower women to embrace their voices.

There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish when we use our voices
21/05/2024

There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish when we use our voices

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