Definition of Harassment according to law

In 2010 a legislation was made by the parliament which is known as the Protection of Women at Workplace, Act 2010. In this Act the word harassment has been defined comprehensively which is not defined before this enactment. Let us examine the words mentioned in the act to understand what is harassment in Pakistan:-

"(h) harassment” means any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors or other verbal or written communication or physical conduct of a sexual nature or sexually demeaning attitudes, causing interference with work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, or the attempt to punish the complainant for refusal to comply to such a request or is made a condition for employment;"

Harassment doesn't mean sex, that is apparent from this definition clause. It is an unwelcome sexual advance. It can be physical or verbal. It can be an offer from the offender to do something against the desires. It can be by the man or woman.

The Act was passed to protect women at workplace mainly. However, it allowed the men to move complaints against women also if they harass them. Similarly if a person is not an employee according the definition in the Act, his harassment cannot be counted as harassment. The above captioned definition is made to serve the purpose of the Act. That is why it makes the employer offender if he/she offers the employment in return of any sexual favors. For more information and interpretation of this law, feel comfortable to contact us at internationallawyerinfo@gmail.com

Regards,
Salman Yousaf Khan
Women's Advocate
+92-333-5339880