Islamabad, The International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), in collaboration with the Federal Ombudsperson Secretariat for Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace (FOSPAH), hosted a seminar on Wednesday focusing on women’s property rights and protection against harassment in the workplace. The event featured Fauzia Viqar, the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, who highlighted the necessity of equality, respect, and protection of individuals’ rights for a stable society.
According to International Islamic University Islamabad, the seminar aimed to raise awareness among students and faculty about the critical issues facing women in the workplace and their property rights. Viqar emphasized the importance of providing equal opportunities for women to contribute to the social and economic fabric of the country. She pointed out that increasing the contribution of working women is essential for stabilizing the country’s economy.
During her address, Viqar noted that many women face sexual or workplace harassment that must be addressed promptly. She called on educated women to learn about their property rights and to speak up for their legitimate prerogatives. Viqar also discussed gender-based harassment and outlined procedures for countering such harassment through relevant channels. In addition, she spoke about the privacy of complainants and the role of FOSPAH in establishing public perception and providing information about women’s property rights.
The seminar also saw contributions from IIUI’s Vice President of Research and Enterprise, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Shuja Syed, who thanked Viqar for her insightful discussion on the issue. Dr. Ghufran Ali Khan, Students Advisor at IIUI, highlighted the role of educational institutions in building a civilized society and stressed the importance of such awareness efforts. Dr. Zafar Iqbal, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, praised the collaboration between IIUI and FOSPAH and suggested that more such activities should be organized frequently.
The seminar was attended by faculty members and a large number of students, serving as a platform for discussions on establishing safe and respectful work environments for all individuals. Participants engaged in dialogue, exchanging best practices, and exploring strategies to effectively address and prevent workplace harassment, with a focus on the dignity of women.