Workplace harassment in Pakistan: 521 men lodge complaints, trans people and women also seek compensation
In Pakistan, more men are reporting workplace harassment, with official records showing that 521 men lodged complaints with the Federal Ombudsman against Harassment (FOSPAH) in the past year, accounting for about 40% of all cases.A total of 1,290 workplace harassment complaints were filed with FOSPAH throughout the year, according to official documents obtained by The Tribune. Of these, 521 were submitted by men and 769 by women.The data challenges the perception that workplace harassment is primarily a women’s issue and highlights the scale of trans abuse. Among male complainants, Islamabad had the highest number of cases at 231, followed by Punjab with 222. 42 cases were reported in Peshawar, 24 in Karachi and 2 in Balochistan.
Beyond sexual misconduct harassment
FOSPAH officials attributed the increase in the number of complaints in Islamabad to increased public awareness of the legal mechanisms available to victims. The agency, led by federal ombudsman Fauzia Waqar, has launched a nationwide awareness campaign to inform employees of their legal rights and encourage victims, including women, men and transgender people, to seek legal redress.In 2022, Parliament amended the Protection of Women from Harassment in the Workplace Act 2010, broadening the definition of harassment to include conduct that creates a hostile or abusive work environment, providing broader protection beyond sexual misconduct.
Systemic Abuse and Reporting Barriers
Despite an increase in complaints, harassment remains woefully underreported. In Pakistan’s civil service, harassment by superiors is often systemic, with subordinates unable to seek recourse for fear of retaliation and a “boss is always right” mentality.Pakistan’s anti-harassment law was first introduced in 2010 and the definition was expanded in 2022 to include non-sexual harassment. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, particularly in the public sector, where investigations are often superficial and complainants face retaliation.
