In a significant move to bolster legal protections for women, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has initiated a process to amend the existing law on workplace harassment. A high-level meeting was convened in Peshawar to deliberate on making the legislation more robust and effective.
High-Level Meeting Chaired by Law Minister
The crucial session was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Law, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Aftab Alam Advocate. The meeting saw participation from key stakeholders, including Ombudsperson Rabab Mehdi and Secretary Law Department Akhtar Saeed Turk. Officials from the Advocate General’s Office, officers of the Law Department, and representatives from other relevant departments were also present.
Focus on Clear and Comprehensive Legal Reforms
During the meeting, participants engaged in detailed discussions on introducing necessary amendments to the current workplace harassment law. There was a unanimous agreement that clear, comprehensive, and practicable changes are urgently needed to provide effective protection to women. The emphasis was on drafting all sections and sub-sections of the law in a clear, coherent, and articulate manner. This step aims to eliminate legal ambiguities and facilitate smoother, more effective implementation on the ground.
A comparative review of the existing Act and the proposed amendments was presented. Various practical proposals for further improving the law were discussed to ensure it meets contemporary challenges.
Government's Commitment to Women's Safety
Addressing the attendees, Minister Aftab Alam Advocate stated that the provincial government is taking serious steps to protect women’s rights and ensure a safe environment for them. He affirmed that strengthening and making the harassment law more effective is among the government’s top priorities.
The minister directed the concerned departments to finalize the proposed amendments at the earliest and ensure tangible progress is made. This directive underscores the government's commitment to translating discussion into actionable legal reform.
This initiative marks a proactive step by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to address a critical social issue and build a safer, more equitable workplace environment for women across the province.
