Workplace harassment in Pakistan: 521 men filed complaints, transgenders and women also seek redress

Men are increasingly reporting workplace harassment in Pakistan, with official records revealing that 521 men lodged complaints with the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment (FOSPAH) over the past year, accounting for roughly 40 per cent of all cases.According to official documents obtained by The Express Tribune, a total of 1,290 workplace harassment complaints were filed with FOSPAH during the year. Of these, 521 were submitted by men, while 769 were lodged by women.The data challenges the perception that workplace harassment is predominantly a women’s issue and highlights the scale of abuse across genders. Among male complainants, Islamabad recorded the highest number with 231 cases, followed by Punjab with 222. Peshawar reported 42 cases, Karachi 24, and Balochistan only two.

Harassment beyond sexual misconduct

Officials from FOSPAH attributed the higher number of complaints from Islamabad to greater public awareness about the legal mechanism available to victims. The institution has conducted nationwide awareness campaigns under the leadership of Federal Ombudsperson Fauzia Waqar to inform employees of their legal rights and encourage victims — including women, men and transgender persons — to seek legal redress.In 2022, Parliament amended the Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act, 2010, expanding its definition of harassment to include conduct creating a hostile or abusive work environment, offering broader protection beyond just sexual misconduct.

Systemic abuse and reporting barriers

Despite the rise in complaints, harassment remains significantly underreported. In Pakistan’s public offices, harassment by bosses is often systemic, with subordinates suffering without recourse due to fear of retaliation and the “boss is always right” mentality.Pakistan’s anti-harassment law was originally introduced in 2010, with the definition expanded in 2022 to include non-sexual harassment. However, implementation remains inconsistent, particularly in the public sector, where investigations are often superficial and complainants face retaliation.