Figures coming from FOSPAH suggest that complaints have shown a staggering increase of about 375 percent when compared to the last year. The increase has substantially indicated that the public is continuing to develop trust and knowledge about the role of FOSPAH in ensuring justice and dignity in the workplace.
The announcement was made by the FOSPAH Ombudsman Fauzia Viqar, during a presser that marked the end of the global campaign “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence”. The event highlighted important milestones, new initiatives, and renewed commitment to supporting the cause of ending workplace harassment and gender-based violence in Pakistan.
Also read: PM Shehbaz Sharif Orders Swift Action Against Islamabad Rioters
In the campaign, FOSPAH has already held more than 50 awareness sessions nationwide. Government organizations participated in these awareness sessions, such as Pakistan Post, PIA, NAB, the Ministry of Climate Change, educational institutions, banks, and healthcare facilities, in addition to this. A special session was held for the transgender community on discrimination against them at workplaces, harassment meted out to them by law enforcement agencies, and denial of inheritance rights, with discussions to concrete solutions.
FOSPAH’s digital outreach during the campaign managed to reach more than 80,000 people in an attempt to cultivate serious debates about workplace harassment and gender-based violence. During the press conference, Ms. Viqar announced the launch of two game-changing initiatives: My Sentry App, an app for workplace safety that offers resources and reporting mechanisms to deal with harassment, and Becky’s Button, a personal panic alarm designed to give immediate relief to vulnerable women in public spaces.
In the words of Ms. Viqar: “Our mission during these 16 days and beyond is to drive cultural and structural change by challenging societal norms, ensuring accessible justice systems, and amplifying the voices of survivors and marginalized communities.”