Bhutto Protegee Tackles Sex Harassment in Pakistan

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By Shahzada Irfan Ahmed
WeNews correspondent

A second-term member of the Sindh provincial assembly is pushing Pakistan's first effort to outlaw sexual harassment in the workplace. Two years ago her draft bill fizzled, but this time she thinks it could become law within a month.

LAHORE, Pakistan (WOMENSENEWS)--Humera Alwani drafted a workplace sexual harassment bill in 2006 when she was a first-term member of the Sindh provincial assembly. But as a member of the opposition Pakistan People's Party she didn't get very far.

This year, after taking her oath of office for a second term on April 5 and with her party now in control, she's confident the bill has a better future.

Sindh's chief minister has approved the draft law for presentation to the provincial cabinet, Alwani says. Within a month she expects it to be discussed in the Sindh assembly, where she's pretty sure it will get passed, since her party is now in power.

The bill imposes strict warnings, demotions, terminations and fines of up to $700 on those found guilty of harassing women at work in Sindh, the second most populous of Pakistan's four provinces. In the most serious cases--sexual assault and repeat offenses--perpetrators could face jail time as well as fines. Non-payment of fines can lead to imprisonment of up to 30 days. The law also recommends that the person who was harassed receive half the fine as compensation.


http://www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/3704

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. Bump!