The Supreme Court has ordered educational institutions across Pakistan to establish effective systems against harassment and ensure strict implementation of relevant laws and codes of conduct.
In a 12-page written judgement, Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar stressed that an educational institution must not only provide learning but also guarantee a safe, respectful and healthy environment.
The Supreme Court said educational institutions were responsible for protecting the dignity, autonomy and security of women.
According to the judgement, any institution that tolerates sexual harassment departs from its fundamental educational mission.
The court observed that tolerating harassment amounted to using power as a justification for wrongdoing and choosing silence over truth. It further stated that the sexual harassment of female teachers was a serious violation of the law, professional ethics and human dignity.
Heads responsible for workplace safety
The judgement said the primary responsibility of the head of an institution was to maintain a safe and healthy educational environment.
The Supreme Court made it clear that workplace harassment could not be accepted under any circumstances and that professional conduct must remain the standard in educational institutions.
The court also warned that unnecessary leniency in cases involving serious allegations could encourage similar conduct.
The Supreme Court directed every educational institution to adopt a clear anti-harassment policy and create an effective system through which complaints could be reported and addressed.
It ordered institutions to ensure the full and meaningful implementation of the code of conduct against workplace harassment.
The judgement also called for immediate and effective opportunities for female teachers to seek redress when they experience harassment.
In-house inquiry committees mandatory
The court ordered that an in-house inquiry committee be established in every educational institution in accordance with the law. These committees must be capable of examining complaints fairly and taking timely action where allegations are substantiated.
The ruling emphasised that merely having rules on paper was not enough and that educational institutions must ensure their practical implementation.
Faisalabad headmistress case
The written judgement was issued in an appeal involving the former headmistress of a special education centre in Faisalabad. The case also examined allegations that effective action had not been taken on harassment complaints.
The Supreme Court used the matter to underline the wider responsibility of educational institutions to protect female teachers and ensure that complaints are not ignored or handled casually.
The ruling reaffirmed that dignity, health, safety and equal professional treatment must be guaranteed to women working in educational institutions.
