The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed all educational institutions across the country to strengthen measures aimed at preventing workplace harassment and ensuring a safe environment for female teachers, declaring that tolerance of such misconduct undermines the very purpose of education.
Bench and Case Details
The ruling was issued by a two-member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Musarrat Hilali while deciding a case involving harassment allegations against a Grade-17 official at the Government Special Education Centre in Faisalabad. The court observed that any educational institution that tolerates harassment fosters a culture in which abuse of authority is normalised and victims are discouraged from reporting misconduct.
Seriousness of Offence
The court held that sexual harassment of female teachers by male colleagues is a serious offence that violates the law, workplace ethics, personal dignity and the right to a safe working environment. It stressed that such behaviour cannot be tolerated in any educational setting.
Directives for Institutions
The bench directed all educational institutions to adopt comprehensive anti-harassment policies and establish effective complaint mechanisms to ensure that reports are promptly brought to the attention of senior authorities. It also ordered institutions to constitute in-house inquiry committees through which female teachers can directly lodge harassment complaints.
Restoration of Penalty
The court restored the departmental penalty of forfeiture of five years of service after setting aside the tribunal's decision and dismissed the appeal as being barred by limitation. This action underscores the court's commitment to enforcing accountability.
Implementation Orders
To ensure implementation of its directives, the Supreme Court ordered that copies of the judgment be sent to the federal education minister, chief secretaries of all provinces, federal and provincial education secretaries, and federal and provincial ombudsmen. The Ministry of Education was further directed to ensure that the code of conduct against workplace harassment is prominently displayed in all educational institutions.
Definition of Unlawful Conduct
The judgment clarified that unlawful workplace conduct includes inappropriate remarks, sexually suggestive jokes or messages, catcalling, demands for unethical favours in exchange for employment-related benefits, unwanted physical contact, and creating a hostile or unsafe working environment, all of which violate the dignity and security of employees.
