MeToo movement in Pakistan: Difference between revisions

MeToo movement in Pakistan (edit)

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 Qurrat Mirza, the organizer of ''Aurat Jalsa''{{refn|[[Devanagari]]: ''औरत जलसा}} (Women’s meeting), which was a precursor to Aurat March 2020, points out that discussing sexual misconduct and bullying faced by Pakistani women within the #MeToo movement frequently leads to legal repercussions. Victims often find themselves facing defamation lawsuits, which can dissuade them from pursuing justice. The financial burden of defending against such lawsuits can be prohibitive, leading many women to forgo filing cases altogether. This situation not only poses a risk of jail time or fines but also perpetuates a culture of silence around issues of sexual violence and harassment.
+== Allegations and cases ==
+As the #MeToo movement gained traction in Pakistan, numerous issues related to sexual harassment, misconduct, and violence against women came to light. This led to widespread identification and discussion of various behaviors exhibited by alleged offenders across multiple sectors, including the media, film industry, theater, and politics, with even [[Prime minister of Pakistan|Pakistan's Prime Minister]] facing scrutiny. Accusations also extended to clergy, charitable organisations, social welfare institutions, the judiciary, and security establishments like the police and military.
+Pakistani women frequently encounter misconduct in the workplace, but the pervasive nature of these incidents, coupled with insufficient avenues for redress, often results in silence. Many women are reluctant to take legal action due to fears of job loss, especially when they already contend with safety concerns and wage disparities at work. For example, in the fishing community, where 70% of households are led by women, the need for income compels many to endure harassment in silence.
+Trade unions typically do not provide adequate support, largely because of ambiguously written laws that tend to favor wealthy and powerful men. The '''''Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010''''', for instance, fails to clearly define what constitutes a workplace and does not extend its protections to informal workers, such as domestic service employees or students. This legal gap further exacerbates the challenges faced by women in addressing harassment and seeking justice.
 ==References==
 {{Reflist}}