By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: A seminar focused on the implementation and awareness of the Workplace Harassment Act 2010 was organized at a local hotel in Lahore by the National Women Journalists Forum and WISE (Women in Struggle for Empowerment). The event was presided over by Farzana Chaudhry, President of the National Women Journalists Forum.
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Distinguished guests included Fauzia Viqar, Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment; Nabila Hakim Ali Khan, Punjab Provincial Ombudsperson; Arshad Ansari, President of Lahore Press Club; Bushra Khaliq, Executive Director of WISE; and Ali Ahmed Dhillon, Chief of Leader Media Group. Senior journalist Nasreen Butt hosted the session, which began with recitation by Saba Sheikh and a naat by Iman Fatima.
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In her welcome speech, Farzana Chaudhry elaborated on the forum’s mission and called upon the Punjab government to provide safe and reliable travel facilities for women journalists.
Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Viqar stated that the 2010 Act is designed to protect all vulnerable groups in the workplace, including women, men, and transgender persons. She stressed that gender inequality remains one of the major social challenges in Pakistan. Punjab Ombudsperson Nabila Hakim Ali Khan highlighted the expanding reach of justice to rural areas, noting a growing number of women from underprivileged regions now filing harassment complaints.
Bushra Khaliq underscored WISE’s continued efforts for over 15 years in advocating for women’s safety, workplace dignity, and empowerment.
The seminar saw attendance from many working women journalists, including Sadia Salahuddin, Farah Hashmi, Rafia Naheed Ikram, Saima Nawaz, Mubashara Sultan, Zubeda Anwar, and Sadia Maqsood. Najaf members including Drakhshanda Almdar, Rabia Azmat, Kanwal Naseem, Nabila Akbar, Iqra Mughal, Zahida Parveen, Raheela Mughal, and Iqra Farooq also participated.
The event concluded with a shield distribution ceremony and a vote of thanks by General Secretary Drakhshanda Almdar.
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