Sexual harassment at public and workplaces

‘Women are homemakers’, a statement that, while being factual in most cultures, enforces roles onto women that they never asked for. From the moment a girl transitions into a woman, she is met with the expectation of being the creator of a nurturing, forgiving, and comforting home — while having no independence or individuality of her own. She is expected to be a giver, till it becomes ingrained into her very being. Because after all, isn’t that what being a "good" woman is?

According to Social Role Theory, formed by the works of Eagly & Wood in 1999, men are expected to be dominant, assertive, and the providers. These imposed traits, with which boys transition into men, can feed into entitlement, condescension, and sexual aggression. On the other hand, women are expected to be submissive, agreeable, and communal. When a woman rejects these stereotypical traits demanded in her (e.g., by being assertive or rejecting advances), this leads to the onset of harassment as a form of “discipline” and “punishment” for not acting in the way society tried to mold her into.

This teaches us that harassment reinforces traditional power roles. But as the world progresses, and women everywhere fight to have a semblance of equality in an otherwise "man's world" — by being independent or working in various male-oriented industries— they’re met with injustice, inequality, aggression, and of course, harassment. Harassment is more than just a simple touch, an inappropriate comment, or sexual advances. Harassment is a twisted form of asserting control over another person. It's a method of oppression and derogation that is, unfortunately, highly normalized in our society.

A female — be it a toddler, a child, a teenager, or a grown adult — stands at a high risk of facing sexual harassment, which not only makes you feel violated, unsafe, or disrespected, but also deeply affects your sense of self.

As discussed before, harassment is a way of asserting dominance and control over an otherwise underprivileged group. Therefore, it isn't only a woman's struggle. It’s an evil that targets every vulnerable individual, whether that be a male or female. This leads to the conclusion that the fight against harassment isn’t only for women. It’s for every single individual out there who was preyed on for their vulnerability, for their weaknesses, for simply being them. It’s a struggle to make sure that every single human being has the right to exist, work, and chase their dreams in peace and safety.

The truth contradicts the notion that there is no hope. And the truth is that wherever there exists any evil, there’s always hope to fight it. And there are agents to fight it as well. The best example of that in our society is the pre-existing legislation that focuses on the preservation of individuals from harassment:

* Pakistan Penal Code (PPC), 1860, specifically Section 509, which addresses insulting modesty or causing sexual harassment against women.

* Additionally, The Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, specifically addresses harassment within the workplace.

While initially this Act focused on women, the law has been amended to include “person” instead of “woman,” for the protection of all affected individuals, regardless of gender.

Now, the question remains — what can we do? Can we change a society that has been formed by years of normalizing stereotypical and harmful expectations and gender roles, resulting in a world unsafe for women and underprivileged groups?

Realistically — no.

But does that mean all effort, all resistance, and all advocacy is for nothing?

Also, no.

Change begins from a place of hope, in an otherwise hopeless scenario. We, as humans, get a chance to make the world a better place every single day. And till the world is a little more welcoming, forgiving, and empowering to those it wronged — we cannot stop. We will not stop.

Such a grassroot and deeply ingrained issue in our society demands a realistic approach. Here’s what we can do to hopefully form a society, where moving in public doesn’t feel so daunting:

· All workplaces must legally uphold anti-harassment policies, listen to complaints seriously, and set up a proper committee for the resolution of complaints.

· You can lodge a complaint if the workplace doesn’t resolve it internally, by reaching out to the Ombudsperson Punjab for the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace, from the provided contact information.

· Anti-harassment training for all employees (especially men) is a must — including making them realize that subtle forms of harassment like staring, sexual comments, inappropriate jokes, or power threats are punishable and strictly forbidden.

· Women should be encouraged to uphold leadership positions and should be provided a fair opportunity to rise through the ranks — because the normalization of a woman’s authority and assertiveness might not tackle the internalized sexism in several individuals, but it surely empowers other women.

· The strongest channel the public has for making a change is to utilize the helplines set up for them. Some include; The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women’s Helpline – 1043 and The Punjab Women Protection Authority Helpline – 1737

· By using these helplines — either in a personal incident or to help another victim — we not only hold the perpetrators accountable but also our government.

· For a cultural shift, we should teach the upcoming generation about gender equality, empathy free of internalized sexism, and body autonomy from a younger age. We should challenge harmful ideologies such as “boys will be boys,” which completely removes accountability from the wrongdoers.

· We should promote respectful and true masculinity through dramas, YouTube influencers, and TikTokers. Dramas encouraging harmful and harassing behaviors — such as stalking, abuse, and violence — should be strictly filtered and censored.

Lastly, we must never remain silent. Whether you’re the one facing harassment or you witness someone else being at the receiving end of it — speak up. Act. Utilize your rights, your voice. Because harassment is an evil that’s been normalized for far too long, and it is time we stand united to fight against it.

It will take countless efforts.

And it will take time.

But that time will pass, regardless.

Why not use it to make the world a better place?