NA adopts resolution underscoring that workplace harassment not only sexual in nature, may manifest in gender discrimination

On Friday, the National Assembly adopted a resolution emphasizing that workplace harassment extends beyond sexual misconduct and can manifest as gender discrimination, intimidation, humiliation, and other forms of hostile behavior. The resolution, introduced by MNA Dr Shahida Rehmani and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, reaffirmed the Parliament's commitment to safeguarding the dignity, equality, and rights of individuals against all forms of harassment, in alignment with Articles 14 and 25 of the Constitution.

It highlighted that harassment is not confined to sexual conduct but may also involve non-sexual elements such as intimidation, humiliation, and misuse of authority. The resolution emphasized that the absence of a sexual advance or demand should not diminish the severity of gender-based harassment or discrimination. It stressed that the dignity of individuals cannot be judged based on narrow distinctions between different forms of harassment and that all conduct falling under the law's purview must be addressed with equal gravity, fairness, and accountability.

The resolution urged the federal government and relevant institutions to ensure the comprehensive implementation of existing laws, preventing any individual from being denied statutory protection solely because the reported harassment or discrimination was non-sexual in nature. While not referencing a specific incident, the resolution came in response to recent concerns raised by legal experts and journalists over a recent ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court.

The court reversed an Islamabad High Court decision in a workplace harassment case filed by a National Bank of Pakistan employee in 2012, interpreting the definition of harassment in the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, which explicitly includes gender-based discrimination, both sexual and non-sexual, within its scope.