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QUETTA, Nov 28 (APP): Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment, Fauzia Waqar on Friday said that effective legislation, awareness, and institutional mechanisms are essential for eliminating gender-based violence and safeguarding women’s inheritance rights.
She emphasized that harassment is not confined to women alone; it affects all genders and must be addressed through joint efforts.
She expressed these views while speaking to the media at the Regional Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Protection against Harassment in Quetta, during activities held under the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
Fauzia Waqar said that various activities are being organized as part of the global campaign against gender-based violence.
The Federal Ombudsperson’s office is actively working to eliminate workplace harassment and gender-based violence.
She added that competence is linked to ability and work, not gender, and Pakistan is home to countless talented women.
The Government of Pakistan is taking harassment issues very seriously.
She further stated that the Federal Ombudsperson’s office ensures implementation of relevant laws within federal institutions. The second mandate of the institution includes addressing complaints related to inheritance and property matters in Islamabad.
She noted that the Balochistan High Court is playing an active role in safeguarding women’s inheritance rights; however, the province lacks special legislation on inheritance, and subordinate courts are burdened with a high number of related cases.
Fauzia Waqar highlighted a recent decision in which the Federal Ombudsperson ensured a woman’s right to inheritance after 31 years—an important milestone in protecting women’s rights.
She added that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) would be engaged to integrate topics related to women’s rights, inheritance laws, and human rights into the academic curriculum.
She also urged the Balochistan government to introduce similar reforms at the provincial level to include these essential subjects in the curriculum.